Camera with learning function

ABSTRACT

A camera having a zoom lens. The camera includes a shutter, an aperture and program exposure mode control. The program exposure control includes one or more reference program characteristics representing combinations of shutter speed and aperture corresponding to one or more of a portrait mode, a landscape mode and a close up mode. Each reference program characteristics define a predetermined aperture in a first range from a low shutter speed to a hand-induced vibration limit and defines a different aperture in a second range beyond the hand-induced vibration limit. One of the reference program characteristics is selected, wherein the hand-induced vibration limit is defined in accordance with a focal length of said zoom lens.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/114,441,filed Aug. 31, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a camera which has a program exposuremode with a program shifting function for shifting one or more referenceprogram characteristics of exposure modes.

The present invention also relates to such a camera having a displaydevice for displaying information regarding the exposure modes.

The present invention also relates to a camera having an exposure modecontrol, and more particularly to the reference program characteristicsof exposure modes.

The present invention also relates to a camera which is operable in anormal photographic mode and a function setting mode for setting data ineach of a plurality of camera function setting items.

The present invention also relates to a camera capable of switchingbetween various exposure modes.

Some known single lens reflex cameras have a program exposure mode witha program shifting function to enable a particular desired photographingcondition to be achieved or to enable a particular combination ofshutter speed and aperture to be achieved, depending on the preferenceof the camera user. When the program shifting function is put intoeffect, a reference program characteristic or so called program line isshifted along an exposure value EV line and the shutter speed andaperture are obtained on the basis of the shifted program line accordingto a subject brightness.

With the known camera, the program line is temporarily shifted duringthe program shifting function and is cleared when a main switch of thecamera is turned off, or upon elapse of a predetermined time after themain switch is turned off. Thus, each time the user uses the camera totake a picture or the main switch is turned on, the user must enable theprogram shifting function so that the program line can be shifted again.Therefore, known single lens reflex cameras having a program exposuremode with a program shifting function have been cumbersome.

This problem is magnified where the camera has a plurality of selectableprogram exposure modes, and a user may shift a program line in oneprogram exposure mode independent of shifting a program line in anotherprogram exposure mode. In addition, when a program shift has been made,it is necessary to turn the main switch off to clear the program shift.This is inconvenient.

The altered shutter speed and aperture that arise when the program lineis shifted are mostly displayed as numerals on a display section, suchas an external display LCD panel. Thus, the camera user has to read thedisplayed numerals to recognize the program shift which makes itdifficult for the user to discern that a different photographic effectwill arise consequent to changes in the shutter speed or in aperture. Itis also difficult for the user of the camera to visually and accuratelydiscern that a shift program has taken place.

Known cameras have a plurality of exposure modes which a user can choosefrom by operating a switch or the like. In the exposure modes that canbe selected, an aperture and a shutter speed are varied in a certainrelationship along a plurality of reference program characteristics toobtain a desired photographic effect.

In a portrait mode for taking a portrait picture, the particular programcharacteristic sets the aperture to be fixed to adapt the camera only toportrait exposures. Therefore, the portrait mode may not be suitable fortaking general pictures of people.

In a close up mode for taking a close up picture, the particular programcharacteristic fixes the aperture at about F4 for control with a zoomlens in a macro range. However, it is difficult to apply the close upmode to a macro lens using such a setting. Therefore, there has been ademand for a camera with a close up mode that is adaptable not only to azoom lens macro range but also to a macro lens used in the close upmode.

In a landscape mode for taking a landscape picture, the particularprogram characteristic fixes the aperture at F5.6, thus ignoringprecautions against hand induced vibration.

Many known cameras are equipped with various special functionsincluding, for example, a function for changing ISO sensitivity and afunction for producing an electric buzzer sound when the camera is infocus.

Heretofore, cameras have had dedicated operating buttons or the likewhich are operable as required to change and set the respectivefunctions. With this arrangement of dedicated operating buttons, as thenumber of functions increases, the number of operating buttons alsoincreases. The number of operating buttons should be limited because anincreased number of buttons increases the cost of the camera and makesthe camera less manageable, thus leading to errors in operation thereof.

Some cameras have a mode switch for switching the operation mode of thecamera from a normal photographic mode to a function setting mode. Inthe function setting mode, a plurality of functions can be set bychoosing and setting items and data in each of the items. However, thisarrangement is not desirable from the design viewpoint nor is itdesirable from the viewpoint of the camera operator because independentoperating members are provided for setting the functions. In addition,the system for changing data after switching between the modes makes theprocess of returning modified data to initial values very complex.

Known cameras with a program shifting function have an exposure valuewhich is changed or corrected by an up/down button while an exposurecorrecting button is pressed. However, to clear the exposure correctionvalue, it has been necessary to operate the up/down button in reverse toreturn the exposure value to the value prior to exposure correction orto provide a dedicated button for clearing the exposure correction.

Known cameras capable of switching between various exposure modes canset an exposure mode that matches photographing conditions in order totake pictures. For example, the user of the camera may want to takepictures in a manual exposure mode in which the user can set a shutterspeed or an aperture freely, or in an automatic exposure mode in whichthe user can select a shutter speed preference condition or an aperturepreference condition. The user may also want to take pictures in aprogram exposure mode in which a shutter speed and an aperture are setby the camera for optimum exposure.

The amount and direction of a program shift in the program exposure modeare displayed by a dedicated display unit. The amount and direction ofan exposure correction made in the automatic exposure mode are displayedby another dedicated display unit.

The display panel of conventional automatic exposure control camerasdisplays a variety of information. However, if the program shiftconditions such as the amount and direction thereof, and the exposurecorrection conditions such as the amount and direction thereof areseparately displayed, then the display units are necessarily large insize, presenting an obstacle to efforts to reduce the camera size. Thereis, therefore, a demand to overcome these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera whichlearns the tendency of a camera user to take a picture after changing aprogram characteristic.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerawhich independently changes a program characteristic in each of a numberof program controlled exposure modes and which learns the tendency ofthe user to take a picture after changing a program characteristic in aprogram controlled exposure mode.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerawhich learns the tendency of the user to take a picture after changing aprogram characteristic and wherein the learned tendency can be simplycleared.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerawhich learns the tendency of the user to take a picture after changing aprogram characteristic on the condition that a film is loaded in thecamera.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerahaving a program exposure mode control wherein the reference programcharacteristic is adapted according to the exposure mode.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cameracapable of setting and changing functions in a function setting mode andcapable of returning all data to initial values through a simpleoperation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide camera whichcan clear an exposure correction value through a simple operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerahaving an exposure mode display device which allows the user of thecamera to easily discern a different photographic effect arising from achange in shutter speed or aperture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a camerahaving display means which allow the user of the camera to easilydiscern the direction in and the amount by which a program has beenshifted.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cameracapable of reliably displaying program shift conditions and exposurecorrection conditions without increasing the size of a display unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention a camera is providedwith a program controlled exposure mode in which exposure parameters arefixed for each exposure value according to a reference programcharacteristic. Setting means temporarily change the exposure parametersto a constant exposure value with respect to the values predetermined bythe reference program characteristic, and control means modify thereference program characteristic based upon the temporary changing ofexposure parameters and at least one exposure operation executedaccording to the changing.

It will be apparent that the term "modify" is to be construed in a broadmanner. Thus, it clearly encompasses embodiments wherein the referenceprogram characteristic after modification results from the control meanschanging the actual values of the reference program characteristic, orapplying change values to those values of the reference programcharacteristic, or substituting another reference programcharacteristic. Furthermore, the term "reference" encompasses a currentreference program characteristic as well as a preset programcharacteristic.

As is apparent from the above, when the user of the camera of thepresent invention releases the shutter a plurality of times while theexposure parameters fixed by a reference program characteristic arebeing temporarily changed in a selected program exposure mode, thecamera modifies the reference program characteristic so that thereaftera shutter speed and an aperture are fixed based on the modifiedreference program characteristic. Therefore, simply by modifying thereference program characteristic according to the user's preference andrepeating exposures in the selected program exposure mode, a combinationof a shutter speed and an aperture which the user prefers, i.e., alearned program line, can be obtained in each program controlledexposure mode.

In one preferred embodiment, the control means modifies the referenceprogram characteristic based on a magnitude of the temporary change.

In another preferred embodiment, the control means modifies thereference program characteristic based on a direction of the temporarychange.

Preferably, said control means modifies the reference programcharacteristic based on a predetermined number of exposure operationsexecuted according to the changing.

In a particular case, the predetermined number is variable according toa magnitude of the temporary change.

Preferably, the predetermined number is different according to whetherthe magnitude of said temporary change is equal to or greater than apredetermined value or whether the magnitude of the temporary change issmaller than the predetermined value.

Conveniently, the control means comprises counting means for countingexposure operations executed according to the changing. The countingmeans is reset for counting when a direction of the temporary changechanges before the count is greater than or equal to the predeterminednumber.

In one preferred embodiment, the control means modifies a the referenceprogram characteristic based upon the temporary changing of exposureparameters and at least one exposure operation executed according to thechanging by means of substituting another predetermined programcharacteristic.

Conveniently, the control means comprise memory means for storing themodified reference program characteristic.

In another preferred embodiment, the control means modifies a referenceprogram characteristic based upon the temporary changing of exposureparameters and at least one exposure operation executed according to thechanging by shifting that reference program characteristic by apredetermined amount.

In this case, the camera may further comprise memory means for storing adirection and magnitude of the shifting.

The camera preferably has two or more program controlled exposure modes,wherein each mode has a respective reference program characteristic andthe control means modifies a respective reference program characteristicof a respective mode.

Since the camera of the present invention allows independent modifiedreference program characteristics for each of the program controlledexposure modes, when switching between program controlled exposure modesis effected, the camera is not affected by a temporary change inexposure parameters prior to the switching. Therefore, such changescontrary to the intention of the user are eliminated.

Conveniently, the temporary changing is evaluated on the basis ofshutter speed.

In another preferred embodiment, the camera further comprises means forreverting the modified reference program characteristic to a presetinitial reference program characteristic.

Thus, the modified reference program characteristic can be effectivelyerased in a simple manner by the reverting means so that a presetinitial reference program characteristic is available for fixing theexposure parameters.

Preferably, the camera further comprises count clearing means forclearing the count of the counting means.

In one case, the count clearing means simultaneously clears the count ofthe counting means with the clearing of the stored transition.

In another preferred embodiment, the camera further comprises filmdetecting means for detecting whether a film is loaded or not in thecamera. The control means is operable on the condition that the filmdetecting means detects a film loaded in the camera.

As no modification of a reference program characteristic takes placewhen a film is not loaded, any modification contrary to the intention ofthe user does not take place at the time the shutter is released with nofilm loaded.

Conveniently, the film detecting means comprises DX code reading meansfor reading a DX code on a film cartridge, and detects whether a film isloaded or not in the camera based on a DX code read by the DX codereading means.

In another preferred embodiment, the camera includes learning displaymeans for displaying a status of operation of said control means.

Since the direction in and the amount by which the reference programcharacteristic has been shifted are displayed by the learning displaymeans, the camera can be handled with ease.

Conveniently, the learning display means includes a display section fordisplaying a magnitude of the temporary change.

The display section can display the modified reference programcharacteristic.

In one case, the display section has graduations spaced at predeterminedintervals with energizable display elements disposed in positionscorresponding to the graduations.

Preferably, the display elements are energizable in the direction of thetemporary change and can alternately be turned on and off to indicate amagnitude of the change.

The display section may also display a direction in and a magnitude bywhich the modified reference program characteristic has been modified bymeans of one energized display element.

Conveniently, the display elements are energizable for displaying amagnitude of the modifying of said modified reference programcharacteristic relative to a preset program characteristic.

In another preferred embodiment, the learning display means has alearning mark element for displaying the activation of the controlmeans.

The learning display means may alternately turn on and off the learningmark element for a predetermined period of time after the shutter isreleased when the control means is activated.

Preferably, the camera further comprises mode switching means forswitching between a learning mode in which the control means isactivated and a normal mode in which the control means is inactivated.

It is preferred that the camera further comprises dial means and whereinmanual operation of the dial means in a program controlled exposure modetemporarily changes the exposure parameters.

In a preferred embodiment, the camera comprises a switch for connectingthe camera to a power supply and wherein the control means includesmeans for storing the modified reference program characteristic duringdisconnection of the camera from the power supply.

According to another aspect of the present invention a camera isprovided having a zoom lens and program exposure mode control means withone or more reference program characteristics representing presetcombinations of shutter speed and aperture corresponding to one or moreof a portrait mode, a landscape mode or a close up mode. Each programline has a predetermined aperture in a first range between a low shutterspeed to a hand induced vibration limit and a different apertureconfiguration in a second range beyond the hand induced vibration limit.

In one embodiment, the reference program characteristic with respect tothe portrait mode is set to an open aperture for said first range inwide and tele settings of the zoom lens. For the second range thereference program characteristic is set to a fixed shutter speed and anaperture varied to a predetermined value at the hand induced vibrationlimit.

Thus, the reference program characteristic with respect to the portraitmode is set to an open aperture from a low shutter speed range to a handinduced vibration limit in wide and tele settings of the zoom lens. Thecharacteristic also set to a fixed shutter speed and an aperture variedto a predetermined value at the hand induced vibration limit. Therefore,the program exposure mode control means is adaptable not only toportrait pictures but also to general pictures of people, and has aprogram characteristic of a portrait mode taking into account theprevention of hand induced vibrations.

In one embodiment, the aperture is varied at the hand induced vibrationlimit such that the aperture is reduced through three steps in the widesetting and through one step in the tele setting.

Thus, the wide setting may be adapted to exposures of a group of peopleand a person in scenery such that the aperture is reduced to place boththe person and the background in focus. The tele setting may be adaptedto portrait and bust exposures such that the aperture is increased tofocus on the person.

In another embodiment, for the first range the reference programcharacteristic with respect to the close up mode is set to an aperturethat is fixed to a first value. For the second range the characteristicis set to a second value that is fixed, reduced substantially one stepfrom the first value.

Thus, the camera is adaptable not only to a zoom lens macro range butalso to a macro lens used in a close up mode. In close up photography,the depth of field is reduced and the aperture becomes too small,lowering the shutter speed, with the result that the camera tends tovibrate because of hand or subject movement. However, the shutter speedis fixed and the aperture is reduced substantially one step at the handinduced vibration limit (where the camera is most likely to be vibratedby hand or subject movement). In addition the camera is controlled withthe reduced aperture beyond the hand induced vibration limit.Accordingly, it is possible for the camera to avoid hand or subjectinduced vibration.

Preferably, the aperture of the second value is F8.

In another embodiment, for the first range the reference programcharacteristic with respect to the landscape mode is set to an aperturethat is reduced one step from an open aperture at a certain focallength. For the second range the characteristic is set to a shutterspeed and aperture such that they vary at a predetermined gradientbeyond substantially the hand induced vibration limit.

Thus, the reference program characteristic for a landscape mode reducesthe aperture as much as possible while preventing the effects of handinduced vibration so that in focus pictures may be taken of landscapesranging from close to distant landscapes irrespective of the focallength.

Conveniently, the hand induced vibration limit different for widesetting and a tele setting.

The hand induced vibration limit may vary according to the mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention a camera isprovided, with first operating means, second operating means, controlmeans, and initialization means.

The control means are provided for switching the camera from a normalphotographic mode to a setting mode for setting data in each of aplurality of operating modes.

The initializing means are actuable to initialize all data in each ofthe operating modes when the first and second operating means aresimultaneously operated for a continuous predetermined period of timeafter the camera has been switched to the setting mode.

Preferably, the first and second operating means are simultaneouslyoperated for a continuous predetermined period of time for switching thecamera from the normal photographic mode to the setting mode.

In one case, the initializing means is actuable to initialize all data,provided the first and second operating means remain simultaneouslyoperated immediately after the camera has been switched to the settingmode.

Conveniently, the first and second operating means are simultaneouslyoperated for a continuous predetermined period of time for switching thecamera from the setting mode to the normal photographic mode.

It is preferred that the initializing means, the first operating meansand said second operating means all be actuated simultaneously for thefirst mentioned predetermined period of time to initialize the data.

The initializing means may comprise a button for selecting a shutter oraperture preference mode in a normal photographing mode.

In another embodiment, the first operating means comprises a drive modebutton and the second operating means comprises a mode button forselecting the operating modes.

The camera may further comprise display means for displaying the passageof the predetermined time.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a camera having one or more program exposure modes. The cameracomprises means for allocating, for an exposure in a program exposuremode, data values which are displaced from a reference programcharacteristic. Display means are provided for displaying thedisplacement by means of a visually observable display element, and pushbutton means are provided which are actuable to clear the data values,which are displaced from the reference program characteristic, and thedisplay thereof on the display means.

The camera's pushbutton means clear the data values which are displayedby the display graph when the pushbutton means are turned on. Thus, theexposure corrective value can be cleared through a highly simpleoperation.

Preferably, the camera further comprises an exposure correcting buttonactuable to display an exposure correcting value on the display means.An exposure correcting value and the display thereof on the displaymeans are each cleared when the push button means is actuated while theexposure correcting button is actuated.

The pushbutton means may double as the exposure correcting button. Thusit is not necessary to provide a separate button dedicated for clearingthe exposure correction. Consequently, the number of parts used is notincreased, and the camera may be simplified in structure.

Conveniently, the push button means comprises a button for selecting ashutter or aperture preference mode.

It is preferred that the display means comprises a display graph havinggraduations spaced at predetermined intervals. Energizably visuallyobservable display elements are disposed in positions corresponding tothe graduations. The number and direction of energized display elementsrespectively indicate the amount and direction of the displacement.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention a camera isprovided which has one or more program exposure modes. Means areprovided for allocating, for an exposure in a program exposure mode,data values which are displaced from a reference program characteristicfor an exposure. Display means are provided to display the displacementby means of a visually observable display element, and pictures areprovided at opposite ends of the display means to serve as visualrepresentations of the displacement. Display control means are providedto switch between types of pictures at the opposite ends of the displaygraph according to the current mode.

As described above, the camera of the present invention has a displaysection having a display graph for displaying the amount and directionof a program shift through movement of a visual display unit. Pictures,displayable at opposite ends of the display graph, serve as indicationsof the direction of the program shift. Picture switching are providedfor switching between the types of the pictures at the opposite ends ofthe display graph depending on the exposure modes. Therefore, theexposure mode display device allows the user of the camera to easilyrecognize a photographic effect difference caused by a change in theshutter speed or the aperture upon a program shift.

Preferably, the display means comprises a display graph havinggraduations spaced at predetermined intervals with energizable andvisually observable display elements disposed in positions correspondingto the graduations. The number and direction of energized displayelements respectively indicate the amount and direction of thedisplacement.

In one case, the program exposure modes include a landscape mode inwhich the display pictures for indicate a photographic effect relatingto aperture to convey whether a distant object is to be focused ordefocused.

In another case, the program exposure modes include a moving object modein which the display pictures indicate a photographic effect relating toshutter speed to convey whether a moving object is to be photographed asfuzzy or still.

It is preferred that the display section displays a mark "Tv" toindicate a shutter speed and/or a mark "Av" to indicate an aperture.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a camera isprovided having one or more program exposure modes. Each programexposure mode may have allocated data values which are displaced from areference program characteristic. Display means are provided with adisplay graph for displaying the change in shutter speed or an apertureby means of a visually observable display element. Marks "+" and "-" arepositioned at opposite ends of the display graph for indicating amagnitude and direction of the shutter speed or the aperture.

Preferably, the display section displays a mark "Tv" indicative of ashutter speed and/or a mark "Av" indicative of an aperture.

Conveniently, the display graph has graduations spaced at predeterminedintervals with energizable display elements disposed in positionscorresponding to the graduations, wherein an energized display elementindicates the amount and direction by which the shutter speed oraperture is changed.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention a camera isprovided having one or more program exposure modes, the camera comprisesmeans for allocating, for an exposure in a program exposure mode, datavalues which are displaced from a reference program characteristic.Exposure correction mode setting means are provided for setting anexposure correction. Display means are provided and include a displaygraph with graduations spaced at predetermined intervals, energizabledisplay elements disposed in positions corresponding to the graduations,and a minus mark, and a plus mark. Display control means are provided tocontrol energizing of the graduations and a number of the displayelements to indicate said displacement. In addition, when the programexposure mode is set an element at the end of the number is controlledto be alternately energized and de-energized and when the exposurecorrection mode is set, the graduations and one of the display elementscan be energized in combination with energization of a minus or plusmark to indicate an exposure correction. The minus or plus mark from theexposure correction mode remains energized on returning to the programexposure mode for indicating an exposure correction when the exposurecorrection mode is inactivated.

Preferably, the exposure correction mode setting means comprises apressable exposure correction button, wherein the exposure correctionmode is activated from the program exposure mode as long as the exposurecorrection button is pressed and is inactivated when the exposurecorrection button is released.

Conveniently, when the exposure correction mode is set, the graduationsand one of the display elements are energized in combination withenergization of a minus or plus mark to indicate an exposure correction.The display graph is not displayed when a shutter speed preference modeor an aperture preference mode of an automatic exposure mode is selectedand set except when an exposure correction is to be indicated.

In another embodiment, when a manual exposure mode is set, thegraduations and a number of the display elements can be energized incombination with energization of a minus or plus mark to indicate anamount and direction of an exposure change.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a camera body of a single lensreflex camera embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an upper plan view of the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of an external display LCD panel of the camera bodyshown in FIG. 1 with all display elements fully turned on;

FIG. 5 is a view of fixed display data on the LCD panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of theLCD panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view of a view finder display LCD panel in an eyepieceviewfinder of the camera body shown in FIG. 1 with all display elementsbeing fully turned on;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing, in side elevation,the attachment of a shutter release button, an UP/DOWN lever, and aTv/Av button to the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing, in front elevation,the attachment of the UP/DOWN lever shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing, in front elevation,the attachment of a drive button and a mode button to the camera bodyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system of the single lens reflexcamera embodying the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a main routine of a control sequence that isexecuted by the body side CPU shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13A, 13B illustrate a flowchart of a control sequence when aRESTART PROCESS is called;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a SHUTTER RELEASEPROCESS is called;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an SW OPERATIONDISPLAY LOOP PROCESS is called;

FIG. 16A, 16B-I, 16B-II, 16C illustrate a flowchart of a controlsequence when an SW OPERATION DISPLAY PROCESS 1 is called;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF LOOP PROCESS iscalled;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF DISPLAY PROCESSis called;

FIG. 19A, 19B-I, and 19B-II illustrate a flowchart of a control sequencewhen a PF LOOP 1 PROCESS is called;

FIG. 19C is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF MODE UP processis called;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF ALL-CLEAR PROCESSis called;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF CANCEL PROCESS iscalled;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an U/D LOOP PROCESS iscalled;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an UP LOOP PROCESS iscalled;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a DOWN LOOP PROCESS iscalled, which includes an U/D TIMER LOOP PROCESS;

FIG. 25-I and 25-II is a flowchart of a control sequence when a DATA U/DPROCESS is called;

FIG. 26-I and 26-II is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF DATAU/D PROCESS is called;

FIG. 27-I and 27-II is a flowchart of a control sequence when a P SHIFTU/D PROCESS is called;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an EXPOSURE CORRECTIONU/D PROCESS is called;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a P SHIFT GRAPHDISPLAY PROCESS is called;

FIGS. 30-I and 30-II illustrate a flowchart of a control sequence whenan EXPOSURE CORRECTION DISPLAY PROCESS is called;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a P shift display table;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a PF TIMER DISPLAYPROCESS is called;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a data format in a PICT mode and a FULLmode;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an AE MODE U/D PROCESSis called;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an AE MODE SETTINGPROCESS is called;

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the relationship between an AE mode and anexposure mode;

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the manner in which a displayed graphchanges in the counting operation of a PF timer;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a P SHIFT CLEARPROCESS is called;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an EXPOSURE CORRECTIONCLEAR PROCESS is called;

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an exposure correction graph display table;

FIGS. 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D illustrate a flowchart of a controlsequence when an AE CALCULATIONS PROCESS is called;

FIGS. 42A and 42B illustrate a flowchart of a control sequence when aPROGRAM CALCULATION SUBROUTINE is called;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a CAL₋₋ Tv SUBROUTINEis called;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a CAL₋₋ Av SUBROUTINEis called;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a SUB-P SHIFTSUBROUTINE is called;

FIGS. 46-I and 46-II illustrate a flowchart of a control sequence when aP SHIFT CALCULATION SUBROUTINE is called;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a CHK₋₋ TvAvSUBROUTINE is called;

FIG. 48A is a program diagram showing the general relationship betweenshutter speed and aperture when a portrait mode is selected;

FIG. 48B is a program diagram showing the specific detail of therelationship between shutter speed and aperture at focal lengths of 28mm and 80 mm when the portrait mode is selected;

FIG. 49A is a program diagram showing the general relationship betweenshutter speed and aperture when a landscape mode is selected;

FIG. 49B is a program diagram showing the specific detail of therelationship between shutter speed and aperture at focal lengths of 28mm and 80 mm when the landscape mode is selected;

FIG. 50A is a program diagram showing the general relationship betweenshutter speed and aperture when a moving subject mode is selected;

FIG. 50B is a program diagram showing the specific detail of therelationship between shutter speed and aperture at focal lengths of 28mm and 80 mm when the moving subject mode is selected;

FIG. 51A is a program diagram showing the general relationship betweenshutter speed and aperture when a close up mode is selected;

FIG. 51B is a program diagram showing the specific detail of therelationship between shutter speed and aperture at focal lengths of 28mm and 80 mm when the close up mode is selected:

FIG. 52A is a flowchart of a control sequence when a NORMAL PROGRAMPROCESS is called;

FIG. 52B is a program diagram showing the specific detail of therelationship between shutter speed and aperture at focal lengths of 28mm and 80 mm when the normal program is selected;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a control sequence when an AUTOMATICCALCULATION SUBROUTINE is called;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a MANUAL CALCULATIONSUBROUTINE is called;

FIG. 55A and 55B are a flowchart of a control sequence when a LEARNINGMODE CALCULATION PROCESS is called;

FIG. 55C is a program diagram illustrating a program shift;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of a control sequence when a LEARNING MODE STOREPROCESS 1 is called;

FIG. 57A and 57B are a flowchart of a control sequence when aLEARNING-MODE U/D PROCESS is called;

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a data format of an EEPROM-RAM;

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing formats of RAM areas;

FIG. 60A is a view showing a main button shifted to a PICT position;

FIG. 60B is a view of the viewfinder display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the main button is in the PICT position;

FIG. 60C is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the main button is in the PICT position;

FIG. 61A is a view showing the main button shifted to an ON position;

FIG. 61B is a view of the viewfinder display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the main button is in the ON position;

FIG. 61C is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the main button is in the ON position;

FIG. 62 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the portrait mode is set while the learning modecalculation process is selected;

FIG. 63A, 63B, 63C, 63D, 63E, 63F, and 63G are views showing displayeddata on the external display LCD panel as they vary when a specialfunction (PF) setting mode is set;

FIG. 64A and 64B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when the special function (PF) settingmode is cleared;

FIG. 65A and 65B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when an ISO film sensitivity is alteredin the special function (PF) setting mode;

FIG. 66A and 66B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when the number of times that a learningmode is to take place is set in the special function (PF) setting mode;

FIG. 67A and 67B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when setting whether a sound is to beproduced when the lens system is focused in the special function (PF)setting mode;

FIG. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, and 68F are views showing the display ofthe letters "Sound" on the external display LCD panel, as they vary whensetting whether a sound is to be produced when the lens system isfocused in the special function (PF) setting mode;

FIG. 69A and 69B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when a setting is made about whether alearning mode is to take place in the special function (PF) settingmode;

FIG. 70A and 70B are views showing displayed data on the externaldisplay LCD panel as they vary when a setting is made about whether thelearning mode is to be cleared in the special function (PF) settingmode;

FIG. 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 71E are views of the external display LCDpanel showing data displayed when a green mode, portrait mode, landscapemode, moving subject mode and close up mode, respectively, are set in apicture mode;

FIG. 71F is a view of the viewfinder display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the portrait, landscape, or close up mode is set in thepicture mode;

FIG. 71G is a view of the viewfinder display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when the moving subject mode is set in the picture mode;

FIG. 72A and 72B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing an example of normaldata displayed when the portrait mode is selected in the picture mode;

FIG. 73A and 73B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed when anexposure correction is made to the data displayed in FIGS. 72A and 72B;

FIG. 74A and 74B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed when anexposure correction is made beyond a bar graph range with the datadisplayed in FIGS. 72A and 72B;

FIG. 75A and 75B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed when anormal photographing condition is resumed after an exposure correctionis made to the data displayed in FIGS. 72A and 72B;

FIG. 76A and 76B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when a program mode is selected;

FIG. 77A and 77B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed when anexposure correction is being made to the data displayed in FIGS. 76A and76B;

FIG. 78A and 78B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed whenthe normal photographing condition is resumed after the exposurecorrection is made to the data displayed in FIGS. 76A and 76B;

FIG. 79A and 79B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when an automatic mode is selected:

FIG. 80A and 80B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed when anexposure correction is being made to the data displayed in FIGS. 79A and79B;

FIG. 81A and 81B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data displayed whenthe normal photographing condition is resumed after an exposurecorrection has been made in the data displayed in FIGS. 79A and 79B;

FIG. 82A and 82B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when a variable shutter speed condition is set while a manualmode is being selected;

FIG. 83A and 83B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when a variable aperture condition is set while the manualmode is being selected;

FIG. 83C and 83D are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when the difference between a calculated appropriate exposurevalue and a manually set exposure value exceeds a range that can bedisplayed at the time a variable aperture condition is set while themanual mode is being selected;

FIG. 84A and 84B are views of the viewfinder display LCD panel and theexternal display LCD panel, respectively, showing data normallydisplayed when a calculated appropriate exposure value and a manuallyset exposure value agree with each other at the time a variable aperturecondition is set while the manual mode is being selected;

FIG. 85 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed before learned data are stored or when a learned program lineagrees with a default program line and a program shift is 0;

FIG. 86 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed before learned data are stored or when a learned program lineagrees with a default program line and a program shift is +1.0 Tv;

FIG. 87 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when a learned program line is shifted +0.5 Tv from a defaultprogram line and a program shift is +0.5 Tv;

FIG. 88 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when a learned program line is shifted +0.5 Tv from a defaultprogram line and a program shift is 0;

FIG. 89 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed when a learned program line is shifted +0.5 Tv from a defaultprogram line and a program shift is -0.5 Tv; and

FIG. 90 is a view of the external display LCD panel showing datadisplayed before learned data are stored or when a learned program lineagrees with a default program line and a program shift is -1.5 Tv.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 3 are front elevational, plan, and rear elevationalviews, respectively, of a camera body 10 of an automatic-focusing (AF)single-lens reflex camera which embodies the present invention. Thecamera has a lens mount 14 on a front panel of the camera body 10. Thecamera also includes a lens system 12 (schematically shown in FIG. 11)that can be detachably mounted on the lens mount 14 and can of course beexchangeable. In this embodiment, the lens system 12 comprises a powerzoom lens system having a focal length which is variable between 28 mmand 80 mm by means of a built-in zoom motor (not shown).

LENS SYSTEM

The lens system 12 is locked to the lens mount 14 as it is mounted tothe camera body 10. When a lens lock button 18 that is positioned on theleft hand side of the lens mount 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, ispressed, the lens system 12 is unlocked and it can be detached from thelens mount 14. With the lens system 12 mounted on the camera body 10, agroup of connection terminals 18 on the surface (front surface) of thelens mount 14 are held in contact with a group of connection terminals(not shown) on the rear surface of the lens system 12 allowing abody-side CPU 20 in the camera body 10 and a lens-side CPU 22 in thelens system 12 to communicate with each other, as shown in FIG. 11.

FOCUSING MODE SELECTOR BUTTON

A focusing mode selector button 24 is positioned on the right hand sideof the lens mount 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is substantiallyvertically slidable to select a manual focusing (MF) mode for manuallyfocusing the lens system 12 or an automatic focusing (AF) mode forautomatically focusing the lens system 12. The AF mode is selected whena mark "-" impressed on the focusing mode selector button 24 is alignedwith a mark "AF" impressed on the camera body 10, and the MF mode isselected when the mark "-" is aligned with a mark "MF" impressed on thecamera body 10.

SHUTTER BUTTON, UP/DOWN LEVER, Tv/Av BUTTON

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pressable shutter release button 26 isdisposed on an upper left hand portion of the camera body 10 at a mostforward position. An UP/DOWN lever or dial 28 is provided to increase orreduce designated variable data, and is positioned immediately to therear of the shutter release button 26. The UP/DOWN lever 28 is angularlymovable about an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of thelens system 12, i.e., about an axis extending substantially in a forwardto rearward direction of the camera body 10. Immediately behind theUP/DOWN lever 28, a pressable Tv/Av button 30 is disposed thatadditionally functions as a clear button. Each time the Tv/Av button 30is pressed in an automatic exposure mode (A) or a manual exposure mode(M) in a full-spec mode that is installed when a main button 38(described below) is shifted to an ON position, the Tv/Av button 30selects a shutter speed preference mode or an aperture preference mode.

In this embodiment, the UP/DOWN lever 28, which is movable laterallywhilst the camera body 10 is held in a photographing posture, isinterposed between the shutter release button 26 and the Tv/Av button30. The shutter release button 26, the UP/DOWN lever 28, and the Tv/Avbutton 30 are positioned such that they can be operated by the indexfinger of the right hand of a user when they grip a right hand portion(left hand portion in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the camera body 10. Since boththe shutter release button 26 and the Tv/Av button 30 can be pressed bythe index finger of the right hand of the user, they may be operated bymistake. However, because the UP/DOWN lever 28 that is movablelaterally, i.e., is not pressable, is located between the shutterrelease button 26 and the Tv/Av button 30, the user can 20 reliablyrecognize the shutter release button 26 in front of the UP/DOWN lever 28and the Tv/Av button 30 behind the UP/DOWN lever 28 while touching theUP/DOWN lever 28 in a pressing manner with the index finger.Consequently, unintended pressed operation of the shutter release button26 and the Tv/Av button 30 can be prevented.

MAIN BUTTON

A built-in flash bulb (not shown) is housed in a front portion of thecamera body 10 near an upper central surface thereof. The flash bulbpops up when a pop-up button 32 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 2, anexternal display LCD panel 34, for displaying various items ofinformation which will be necessary when taking pictures, is mounted forvisual observation at the rear, upper central surface of the camera body10. The main button 36 is disposed on the left hand side (as viewed inFIG. 2) of the external display LCD panel 34. The main button 36 isslidable in a forward or rearward direction between an OFF position, anON position, and a PICT position. When the main button 36 is in the OFFposition, a main switch 110 (described later on) is turned off, and whenthe main switch 36 is in the ON or PICT position, the main switch 110 isturned on.

When the main button 36 is in the ON position, it sets a normal exposuremode (full-spec mode: FULL) in which a normal program mode (P), anautomatic exposure mode (A), or a manual exposure mode (M) can beselected as desired. When the main button 36 is in the PICT position, itsets exposure mode (picture mode) which can be selected as desired.These modes comprise a green mode suitable for a novice to takepictures, a portrait mode suitable for photographing human beings, alandscape mode suitable for photographing natural scenery, a movingsubject mode suitable for photographing moving subjects, and a close upmode suitable for taking close ups. These exposure modes will bedescribed later on. In this embodiment, the modes that can be selectedin the picture mode may be installed when the user selects symbolsrepresented by pictures.

When the manual exposure mode (M) is set, as the values of shutter speedand aperture have been set by the Tv/Av button 30, they can be varied byturning the UP/DOWN lever 28.

DRIVE BUTTON, MODE BUTTON

A pressable drive button 38 and a pressable mode button 40, which ispositioned on the left hand side of the drive button 38, are disposed inJuxtaposed relationship on an upper right hand surface (as viewed inFIG. 2) of the camera body 10. The drive button 38 and the mode button40 can be pressed independently or simultaneously by the index finger ofthe left hand of a user gripping a left hand side (shown as a right handside in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the camera body 10.

When the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned with the drive button 38 pressed bythe user, a drive setting mode switches between a single-framephotographing mode, a multi-frame photographing mode, and a self-timerphotographing mode irrespective of whether the main button 36 is in theON or PICT position. When the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned with the modebutton 40 pressed by the user, the exposure mode switches successivelybetween the normal program mode (P), the automatic exposure mode (A),and the manual exposure mode (M) in the full-spec mode when the mainbutton 36 is in the ON position, or the exposure mode switchessuccessively between the green mode, the portrait mode, the landscapemode, the moving subject mode, and the close up mode in the picture modewhen as the main button 36 is in the PICT position.

When the user simultaneously presses the drive button 38 and the modebutton 40 for a predetermined period of time, the camera enters aspecial function (PF) setting mode. While the PF setting mode has beenselected, each time the mode button 40 is pressed, the contents of a setspecial function are successively changed. While the PF setting mode hasbeen selected and letters "PF" are being displayed, and when the Tv/Avbutton 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined period of time,the Tv/Av button 30 functions as a clear button for clearing all variousdata that have been set in the special function setting mode, asdescribed later in detail. In such a clearing process, if a film isloaded in the camera body 10, then the ISO film sensitivity is set to anISO exposure index indicated by a DX code on the loaded film. If no filmis loaded in the camera body 10, then the ISO film sensitivity is set toa default ISO exposure index, e.g., 100.

When the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while program shifting (describedlater on) is being executed, the Tv/Av button 30 functions as a programshifting clear button for clearing the amount of program shifting. Whenthe Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while exposure correction is beingexecuted, the Tv/Av button 30 functions as an exposure correction clearbutton for clearing the amount of exposure correction.

An accessory shoe 42 for mounting an external flash bulb (not shown) tothe camera body is disposed on the upper surface of the camera body 10on its left hand side as shown in FIG. 2. The accessory shoe 42 isnormally covered with a cover 44.

As shown in FIG. 3, a viewfinder eyepiece 46 is positioned on an upperportion of a rear panel of the camera body 10. The rear panel has alower portion that is covered substantially entirely with an openablerear lid 48, which when opened, allows a film to be loaded into andunloaded from the camera body 10. The rear lid 48 is equipped with adate data recording mechanism 50 for recording on a loaded film, data ofincluding the year, month, and data on which the film is exposed.

HYPER BUTTON

As shown in FIG. 3, a pressable hyper button 52 is disposed on the rearpanel of the camera body 10 on its right hand shoulder. The hyper button52 basically functions as an exposure correcting button. Whilst in thenormal program mode (P) or the automatic exposure mode (A) when in thenormal exposure mode, if the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned with the hyperbutton 52 pressed, optimum exposure conditions calculated by the cameracan be adjusted in a positive or negative direction, i.e., can beincreased or reduced, as desired by the user. The user can also adjustthe exposure conditions by turning the UP/DOWN lever 28 while pressingthe hyper button 52 pressed any of the modes other than the green modeare installed in the picture mode.

While the manual exposure mode (M) has been set in the normal exposuremode, when the hyper button 52, a photometric process for exposure iscarried out, and an optimum combination of shutter speed and apertureare determined based on the results of the photometric process. That is,when the hyper button 52 is pressed in the manual exposure mode (M), thefunction of the automatic exposure mode (A) can effectively be obtained.

The exposure conditions that have been adjusted by turning the UP/DOWNlever 28 with the hyper button 52 pressed can be cleared when the Tv/Avbutton 30 serves as a clear button.

DISPLAYED CONTENTS OF EXTERNAL DISPLAY LCD PANEL

The arrangement of the external display LCD panel 34 now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 4 through 6.

The display patterns or elements of the external display LCD panel 34are shown in FIG. 4 as if they were all fully turned on. As shown inFIG. 5, the external display LCD panel 84 has four fixed displayelements 54a-54d that are displayed or turned on at all timesirrespective of which position the main button 36 is shifted to. Thedisplay element 54a comprises a halftone display element for displayinga picture indicating the green mode in an actual hue of green. Thedisplay element 54b comprises a division line for dividing the displayarea of the external display LCD panel 34 into left and right areas onthe left hand and right hand sides, respectively, thereof. The left areaincludes pictures indicating five exposure modes, that can be selectedin the picture mode, and alphabetic letters indicating the threeexposure modes in the normal exposure mode. The right area includesvarious items of information that are required for taking pictures, forexample exposure conditions, shutter speed, aperture, the number offrames exposed, etc. The display elements 54c, 54d represent parenthesesfor displaying in an area therebetween a battery condition, filminformation, and special function setting information, etc. The displayelements which are shown as being fully turned on in FIG. 4, except thefixed display elements 54a-54d shown in FIG. 5, are energizable liquidcrystal elements. These liquid crystal elements can be energised whenthe main button 36 is shifted to a position other than the OFF position.

In the area on the left hand side of the division line 54b, there arearranged a picture (graphically representing a smiling face) 56aindicating the green mode, a picture (graphically representing a person)56b indicating the portrait mode, a picture (graphically representing amountain) 56c indicating the landscape mode, a picture (graphicallyrepresenting a runner) 56d indicating the moving subject mode, and apicture (graphically representing a flower) 56e indicating the close upmode. The pictures 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e are positioned successivelydownwardly from the uppermost position. In the lowermost position of theleft area, the display includes a letter P indicating the normal programmode selectable in the normal exposure mode, a letter A indicating theautomatic exposure mode selectable in the normal exposure mode, and aletter M indicating the manual exposure mode selectable in the normalexposure mode. The letters A, P, M are positioned horizontally andside-by-side. The pictures 56a-56e are surrounded by respective liquidcrystal element frames 58a-58e that are energizable to indicate that thecorresponding pictures 56a-56e are selected.

More specifically, when the normal exposure mode is set by the mainbutton 36 having been shifted to the ON position, only the selected oneof the letters P, A, or M which indicate the normal program mode, theautomatic exposure mode, or the manual exposure mode, respectively, isenergized on the left hand side of the division line 54b. When thepicture mode is set by the main button 36 having been shifted to thePICT position, all the pictures 56a-56e are energized, but only one ofthe frames 58a-58e which corresponds to the selected mode in the picturemode is energized.

In the area on the right hand side of the division line 54b, there isarranged an energizable graph 58f which is composed of nine black dotspositioned at equal intervals along an upper central edge of theexternal display LCD panel 34 in horizontal side-by-side relationship,and an array of nine graduations 58g positioned directly underneath theblack dots in vertical alignment therewith. A centrally locatedgraduation 58g is located above a triangular mark 58h that isenergizable to indicate the central graduation 58g. A left endgraduation 58g is located above an energizable minus mark 58i, and aright end graduation 58g is located above an energizable plus mark 58j.The minus mark 58i indicates a negative direction for reducing theaperture or lowering the shutter speed, and the plus mark 58j indicatesa positive direction for widening the aperture or increasing the shutterspeed.

When one of the four exposure modes other than the green mode isselected in the picture mode, the black dots of the graph 58f arealternately turned on and off or continuously turned on is varied byturning the UP/DOWN lever 28, thereby indicating a direction in which,and an amount by which, a program shift is effected. However, the "+"(plus) mark and the "-" (minus) mark can be alternately turned on andoff or continuously turned on at the opposite ends of the graph 58f toenable the graph 58f to directly display a change in the shutter speedor a change in the aperture. Pictures 56f, 56g (described below) at theopposite ends of the graph 58f may be dispensed with, and only the "+"and "-" marks may be displayed.

Pictures 56f, 56g are energized when one of the portrait mode, thelandscape mode, or the close up mode are selected in the picture mode,and are positioned respectively at the left and right ends of the graph58f. The left picture 56f, which is a graphic representation of a personand a mountain both in focus, indicates a reduced aperture with anincreased depth of field thereby widening a range that can be in focus.The right picture 56g, which is a graphic representation of a person infocus and a mountain out of focus, indicates an increased aperture witha reduced depth of field thereby reducing a range that can be in focus.

Pictures 56h, 56i are energized when the moving subject mode is selectedin the picture mode and are positioned respectively to the left of theminus mark 58i underneath the picture 56f, and to the right of the plusmark 58j underneath the picture 56g. The left picture 58h, which is agraphic representation of a blurred runner, indicates a slower shutterspeed tending to photograph the subject as a blurred image. The rightpicture 56i, which is a graphic representation of an unblurred runner,indicates a faster shutter speed tending to photograph the subject as astationary image.

Three pictures 56j, 56k, 56m, are arranged in a vertical arrayselectively energizable and are disposed below the picture 56h. Thesepictures 56j, 56k, 56m indicate different automatic power zoom controlmodes to be set when the lens system 12 mounted on the camera body 10 isa power zoom lens. The uppermost picture 56j is energized when aconstant image magnification photographing mode is selected, thelowermost picture 56m is energized when an in-exposure zoomphotographing mode is selected, and the picture 56k therebetween isenergized when a clip photographing mode is selected. These automaticpower zoom control modes will not be described in detail as they have nobearing on the present invention.

A vertical array of five pictures 56n, 56o, 56p, 56q, 56r, located tothe right of the array of pictures 56j, 56k, 56m, are selectivelyenergizable and are below the minus mark 58i. The uppermost picture 56n,graphically representing lightening, is alternately turned on and offwhen flash photography is needed. At this time, when the pop-up button32 is pressed, the built-in flash bulb is popped up, and will be turnedon when conditions are ready for flash photography.

The second picture 56o, graphically representing an eye, is turned onwhen a red-eye prevention mode is set for flash photography. When thered-eye prevention mode is set, the built-in flash bulb is pre-energizedprior to taking a picture in flash photography, making the iris of thesubject person close.

The third picture 56p, graphically representing a clock, is energizedwhen a self-timer photographing mode is selected by turning the UP/DOWNlever 28 with the drive button 38 pressed to set the drive setting mode.

The fourth picture 56q, graphically representing a rectangle, isenergized when a single-frame photographing mode or the multi-framephotographing mode is selected by turning the UP/DOWN lever 28 with thedrive button 38 pressed to set the drive setting mode.

The fifth and lowermost picture 56r, graphically representingoverlapping squares in connection with picture 56q, is energized whenthe multi-frame photographing mode is selected by turning the UP/DOWNlever 28 with the drive button 38 pressed to set the drive setting mode.

More specifically, when the single-frame photographing mode is set, onlythe rectangular picture 56q is energized, and when the multi-framephotographing mode is set, the picture 56r is energized in addition tothe rectangular picture 56q.

An energizable picture 56s, graphically representing a learning mode, isdisposed between the triangular mark 58h and the minus mark 58i. Thepicture 56s, composed of a notebook and a pencil, is energized when alearning mode is set in the special function (PF) setting mode. Thelearning mode will be described in detail later on.

Energizable letters "Tv" for displaying a shutter speed are disposed tothe right of the lightning picture 56n and below the triangular mark58h. An energizable arcuate bar mark 58k is disposed directly above theletters "Tv". The bar mark 58k is energized when the shutter speedpreference mode is selected by pressing the Tv/Av button 30.

Energizable letters "Av" for displaying an aperture are disposed belowthe letters "Tv". An energizable arcuate bar mark 58m is disposeddirectly above the letters "Av". The bar mark 58m is energized when theaperture preference mode is selected by pressing the Tv/Av button 30.

The external display LCD panel 34 may be arranged to energize the "Tv"and "Av" marks simultaneously, or to energize the "Tv" and "Av" marksone at a time in response to a switch action.

Four-digit energizable display elements 60a-60d for displaying a shutterspeed or an ISO film sensitivity are disposed to the right of theletters "Tv". Each of the two-digit display elements 60a, 60b on theleft is composed of seven segments capable of selectively displayingnumerals ranging from "0" to "9" and letters. The display element 60c,which is the second element from the right, is composed of six segmentscapable of selectively displaying the numerals "5" and "0". The displayelement 60d on the right end is capable of selectively displaying anumeral "0" and a symbol """. The symbol """ is energized if the shutterspeed displayed by the left two-digit display elements 60a, 60b is inseconds, and is de-energized if the shutter speed displayed in themaximum number of three digits (60a, 60b, 60c) is in the reciprocal ofseconds.

Two-digit energizable display elements 60e, 60f for displaying anaperture or the like are disposed to the right of the letters "Av"described above. Each of these two-digit display elements 60e, 60fcomprises seven segments for displaying numerals ranging from "0" to "9"and letters. A dot display element 60g for displaying a decimal point isinterposed between the display elements 60e, 60f.

An energizable picture 56u, graphically representing a dry cell, is fordisplaying the electric power condition of a power supply (battery) andis disposed in an upper left portion of the area between the parenthesesrepresented by the display elements 54c, 54d. The picture 56u is fullyenergized in its inside area when the battery stores sufficient electricpower, half energized when the remaining electric power stored in thebattery is small, and de-energized when the remaining electric powerstored in the battery is substantially eliminated.

An energizable picture 56t, graphically representing a film cartridge,for displaying the loaded condition of a film is disposed below the drycell picture 56u. The film cartridge picture 56t is de-energized when nofilm is loaded, and energized when a film is loaded.

Two-digit energizable display elements 60h, 60i for displaying anexposure correction letters "PF" or the like are disposed in a rightportion of the area between the parentheses represented by the displayelements 54c, 54d. Each of these two-digit display elements 60h, 60icomprises seven segments for displaying numerals ranging from "0" to "9"and letters. A dot display element 60j for displaying a decimal point isinterposed between the display elements 60h, 60i. An energizable displayelement 60k, graphically representing a negative sign, for displayingthat the exposure correction value is negative is disposed to the leftof the left display element 60h.

STRUCTURE OF EXTERNAL DISPLAY LCD PANEL

The structure of the external display LCD panel 34 will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 6.

The external display LCD panel 34 has a pair of upper and lowertransparent glass plates 34a, 34b that are spaced a predetermined gapfrom each other by a spacer 34c. A liquid crystal 34d is located in thegap that is determined by the spacer 34c. A pair of upper and lowertransparent electrodes 34e, 34f are disposed respectively on lower andupper surfaces of the upper and lower transparent glass plates 34a, 34bas independent electrodes corresponding to the pictures 56a-56u, thedisplay elements 58a-58m representing the frames, the marks, etc., andthe display elements 60a-60k including the seven-segment elements, etc.When the smiling-face picture 56a is to be energized, for example, theupper and lower transparent electrodes 34e, 34f corresponding to thepicture 56a are energized to turn on the smiling-face picture 56aindependently of the other pictures.

A first polarizer is mounted on the upper surface of the uppertransparent glass plate 34a, and a second polarizer 34h is mounted onthe lower surface of the lower transparent glass plate 34b. The uppersurface of the second polarizer 34h is printed with the green halftonedisplay element 54a according to pad printing. The division line 54b andthe display elements 54c, 54d are also printed on the upper surface ofthe second polarizer 34h. A reflector 34i is attached to the lowersurface of the second polarizer 34h.

The external display LCD panel 34 of the above structure is capable ofreliably displaying the various items of information, described above,when required.

VIEWFINDER DISPLAY LCD PANEL

A viewfinder display LCD panel 62 as shown in FIG. 7 is disposed along aright edge of an outer frame which defines a viewfinder as viewedthrough the viewfinder eyepiece 46. The viewfinder display LCD panel 62displays various items of information that are simplified versions ofthe items of information that are displayed by the external display LCDpanel 34. Therefore, the items of information that are displayed by theviewfinder display LCD panel 62 are denoted by similar referencecharacters, and will not be described in detail. The viewfinder displayLCD panel 62 includes a display element 58n, graphically representing afocused mark, which is energized when the lens system is focused toinform the user that the lens system is focused. The same displayelement is not included in the external display LCD panel 34. Thefocusing mark 58n is energizable when the manual focusing (MF) mode orthe automatic focusing (AF) mode is selected with the focusing modeselector button 24.

ATTACHMENT STRUCTURES FOR SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON, UP/DOWN LEVER, Tv/AvBUTTON, DRIVE BUTTON, AND MODE BUTTON

Attachment structures for the five manual control members, i.e., theshutter release button 26, the UP/DOWN lever 28, the Tv/Av button 30,the drive button 38, and the mode button 40, that are disposed on theupper surface of the camera body 10, will be described below withreference to FIGS. 8 through 10.

First, attachment structures for the shutter release button 26, theUP/DOWN lever 28, and the Tv/Av button 30, that are disposed on theupper surface of the camera body 10 on the left hand side (i.e., on theright hand side as viewed from the user) of the external display LCDpanel 34, will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown inFIG. 8, the shutter release button 26 is inwardly and pressably disposedin a first opening 64a, defined in an upper ornamental plate 64 whichdefines the upper surface of the camera body 10. The shutter releasebutton 26 is normally urged upwardly by a coil spring 66. A switchassembly 88 is disposed below the shutter release button 26. The switchassembly 68 houses a photometric switch 70 (see FIG. 11) that is turnedon when the shutter release button 26 is pressed halfway and a releaseswitch 72 (see FIG. 11) that is turned on when the shutter releasebutton 26 is fully pressed. The Tv/Av button 30 is inwardly andpressably disposed in a second opening 64b defined in the upperornamental plate 64. The Tv/Av button 30 is normally urged upwardly by aleaf spring 74 that is positioned above a clear switch 78. The clearswitch 76 is turned on when the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed.

The UP/DOWN lever 28 is angularly movable rather than pressable. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the UP/DOWN lever 28 comprises a leverbody 28a, and a support shaft 28b integrally Joined to the lever body28a, and extends substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lenssystem 12. Therefore, the UP/DOWN lever 28 is rotatably movable aboutthe central axis of the support shaft 28b. The lever body 28a is of asubstantially semicircular shape and has an upper edge projectingupwardly through a third opening (slit) 64c defined in the upperornamental plate 64. The lever body 28a is associated with an UP switch78 that is turned on when the lever body 28a is turned counterclockwisein FIG. 9 (i.e., clockwise as viewed from the user), and a DOWN switch80 that is turned on when the lever body 28a is turned clockwise in FIG.9 (i.e., counterclockwise as viewed from the user). The lever body 28ais normally urged by a return spring (not shown) toward its neutralposition in which it does not turn on the UP and DOWN switches 78, 80.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drive button 38 and the mode button 40 areinwardly pressably disposed in respective fourth and fifth openings 64d,64e defined in the upper ornamental plate 64. The drive button 38 andthe mode button 40 are normally urged upwardly by a spring (not shown).A drive switch 82 and a mode switch 84 are disposed on a switch supportplate 88 respectively underneath the drive button 38 and the mode button40. The drive switch 82 is turned on when the drive button 38 ispressed, and the mode switch 84 is turned on when the mode button 40 ispressed.

A hyper switch 88 (FIGS. 8 and 11), which can be turned on when thehyper button 52 is pressed, is disposed in the camera body 10. Thecamera body 10 also accommodates therein a film cartridge detectingswitch 90 (turned on by a film cartridge that can be loaded when therear lid 48 is opened) for detecting the loaded condition of the filmcartridge. The hyper switch 88 and the film cartridge detecting switch90 are shown in FIG. 11.

CONTROL SYSTEM OF AF SINGLE LENS REFLEX CAMERA

An AF single lens reflex camera for taking pictures is produced when thelens system 12 is mounted on the camera body 10. A control system ofsuch an AF single lens reflex camera will be described below withreference to FIG. 11.

Light from a subject which has entered the camera body 10 through thezoom optical system of the lens system 12 is mostly reflected by a mainmirror 92 (see FIG. 1) toward a pentagonal mirror (not shown) of theoptical system of the viewfinder. Part of the reflected light is appliedto a photodetector 94 (see FIG. 11) of a photometric IC. Part of thelight from the subject that has entered the camera body 10 is applied toand passes through a half-silvered mirror section (not shown) of themain mirror 92, and is then reflected by a rear submirror (not shown)downwardly to a rangefinder CCD sensor unit (not shown).

The photodetector 94 of the photometric IC generates an electric signaldepending on the intensity of light applied thereto. The electric signalgenerated by the photodetector 94 is logarithmically compressed by aphotometric circuit 98 and then converted by an A/D converter 98 into adigital signal that is applied as a photometric signal to the body-sideCPU 20 in the camera body 10. Based on the digital photometric signaland film sensitivity information, the body-side CPU 20 carries outpredetermined calculations to determine an optimum shutter speed andaperture for exposure. Then, the body-side CPU 20 actuates an exposurecontrol device 100 and an aperture mechanism (not shown) for exposing afilm frame based on the calculated shutter speed and aperture.

In response to a shutter release, the body-side CPU 20 controls a motordrive circuit (not shown) to energize a mirror motor (not shown) to liftand lower the main mirror 92. After the film frame has been exposed, thebody side CPU 20 energizes a film take up motor (not shown) to wind thefilm.

The body-side CPU 20 communicates with the lens-side CPU 22 forexchanging data and commands through the connection terminals 18 on thelens mount 14 and the connection terminals (not shown) on the lenssystem 12. The lens system 12 has a focal length detecting mechanism 102for detecting a focal length that is presently set. The focal lengthdetecting mechanism 102 is electrically connected to the lens-side CPU22.

The body side CPU 20 comprises a control unit 20a for effecting overallcontrol over the camera, the control unit 20a having a ROM for storing acontrol program and a RAM for storing certain data. The body side CPU 20further comprises an arithmetic unit 20b for carrying out AF (automaticfocusing) arithmetic operations, PZ (power zoom) arithmetic operations,AE (automatic exposure) arithmetic operations, learning mode arithmeticoperations, etc., and further comprises a timer counter 20c. An EEPROM108, as an external memory, is connected to the control unit 20a througha controller 104. The EEPROM 108 stores various constants inherent tothe camera body 10, and various functions and constants which will berequired by the AF arithmetic operations, PZ arithmetic operations, AEarithmetic operations, learning mode arithmetic operations, etc. Anelectronic buzzer 108 for generating a sound when the lens system isfocused is connected to the controller 104. The buzzer 108 comprises aPCV (Piezo Ceramic Vibrator).

Also connected to the body side CPU 20 are the photometric switch 70that is turned on when the shutter release button 26 is half pressed,the release switch 72 that is turned on when the shutter release button26 is fully pressed, the main switch 110 that is turned on and off inresponse to sliding movement of the main button 38, the clear switch 76,the UP switch 78, the DOWN switch 80, the drive switch 82, the modeswitch 84, the hyper switch 88, and the film cartridge detecting switch90.

The main switch 110 comprises an ON switch 110a and a PICT switch 110b.The ON switch 110a is turned on when the main button 38 is slid to theON position, and turned off when the main button 38 is slid to the otherpositions. The PICT switch 110b is turned on when the main button 36 isslid to the PICT position, and turned off. When the main button 36 isslid to the other positions. The main switch 110 is turned on wheneither the ON switch 110a or the PICT switch 110b is turned on, andturned off when both the ON switch 110a and the PICT switch 110b areturned off.

A control sequence for controlling the camera in this embodiment will bedescribed below with reference to various flowcharts.

A main routine shown in FIG. 12 and 13 includes a POFF loopcorresponding to a standby condition and a PON loop corresponding to anoperating condition. From the PON loop, various control processes areexecuted for controlling the camera. There are four general controlprocesses: a shutter release process (FIG. 14) for controlling anexposure when the shutter release button 26 is fully pressed; an SWoperation display loop process (FIG. 15) for controlling displayprocesses upon operation of the mode button 40, the drive button 38, theTv/Av button 30, the UG/DOWN lever 28, and the. hyper button 82; an AEarithmetic process for controlling various program arithmeticoperations; and a learning mode arithmetic process for controlling alearning function to learn an action of the user. The SW operationdisplay loop process can be sub-divided into a process in the exposuremode for exposure correction and program shifting, and a process in thespecial function setting mode.

MAIN ROUTINE

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main routine for controlling thecamera. This flowchart is started when a battery is loaded in thecamera. When a battery is loaded in the camera body 10, interrupts areinhibited, and an initializing process is executed to initialize flags,the RAM, and registers, and to effect a sum check in the ROM (S1201,S1203). Then, a power hold mode is turned on to supply electric energyto the overall hardware arrangement of the camera, and data stored inthe EEPROM 108 is written in the RAM of the CPU 20 (S1205, S1207).Thereafter, control proceeds to the POFF loop that is repeatedlyexecuted while the main switch 110 of the camera is turned off.

FORMATS DATA IN EEPROM/RAM

FIGS. 58 and 59 are diagrams showing formats of data stored in theEEPROM and data written in the RAM.

The camera of the present embodiment can learn the amount of a programshift in each of the exposure modes including the portrait mode, thelandscape mode, the moving subject mode, and the close up made. In theseexposure modes, GENPSFT(0)-GENPSFT(3) respectively indicate the amountof a shift from an initial learning mode origin in a program diagramthat has been learned and STDYCNT(0)-STDYCNT(3) respectively indicatethe number of times that the shutter has been released with the amountof a program shift that the user has set. They are each first written inthe RAM, and then written in the EEPROM 106 as required. The datawritten in the EEPROM 106 are written in the RAM in step S1303 shown inFIG. 13A and in step S1207 shown in FIG. 12. Furthermore, data aretransferred from GENPSFT(0)-GENPSFT(3) and STDYCNT(0)-STDYCNT(3) writtenin the RAM to GENPSFT, STDYCNT in the RAM according to the exposure modethat is selected.

In addition to the locations GENPSFT, STDYCNT, the RAM has SETPSFT forstoring the amount of a program shift, which the user has set, from alearning mode origin, and ALLPSFT for storing the final amount of aprogram shift.

FIG. 59 shows a data structure of the data ALLPSFT, SETPSFT, GENPSFT,STDYCNT in the RAM.

As shown in FIG. 59, each of the data ALLPSFT, SETPSFT, GENPSFT contains0th through 8th bits representing the absolute amount of a program shiftin units of 1/8, and a 7th bit serving as a direction bit thatrepresents the direction of the program shift. The data STDYCNT contains0th through 5th bits representing the number of times that the shutteris released, and 6th and 7th bits representing data relative to thestatus of a learning mode.

POFF LOOP

In the POFF loop, the SW operation display loop process is called atfirst (see FIG. 15). In the SW operation display loop, flags includingrelease SW, photometric SW, main SW, clear SW, UPSW, DOWNSW, drive SW,mode SW, and HYPSW are set to "1" or "0" depending on whether therelease switch 72, the photometric switch 70, the main switch 110, theclear switch the UP switch 78, the DOWN switch 80, the drive switch 82,the mode switch 84, and the hyper switch 88 are turned on or off. Thevarious flags that are set depending on the operation of the switchesare supplied to the CPU 20, which controls the display of the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 based onthe supplied flags (S1211, S1213). If the main switch SW is set to "0",i.e., if the main button 36 is in the OFF position, then only the SWoperation display loop is called at a cyclic period of 128 ms (S1211,S1213), and the power-hold mode remains turned off (S1229, S1231,S1233). Even if the main SW is set to "1", i.e., even if the main button36 is in the PICT position or the ON position, in so far as all of theflags:

(1) release SW,

(2) photometric SW,

(3) HYPSW,

(4) UPSW, and

(5) DOWNSW are set to "0" or a PF mode flag is set to "0", thepower-hold mode remains turned off, and only the SW operation displayloop is called at intervals of 128 ms (S1217 through S1233, S1211,S1213). The PF mode flag is set to "1" when the camera is being operatedon in the special function setting mode (PF mode), which will bedescribed later on. In the PF mode (with MAIN SW set to "1"), therefore,control goes to a RESTART process regardless of the conditions of theoperation switches.

If either one of the release switch, the photometric switch, the hyperswitch, the UP switch, or the DOWN switch is turned on, i.e., if eitherone of the flags (1) through (5) above is set to "1", while the POFFloop is being executed, the RESTART process shown in FIGS. 18A and 18Bis carried out.

RESTART PROCESS

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a flowchart showing the RESTART process.The RESTART process is executed if either one of the flags (1) through(5) above is set to "1" or the PF mode flag is set to "1" while the mainSW is set to "1" in the POFF loop shown in FIG. 12. Initially, thepower-hold mode is turned on to supply electrical energy to the overallhardware arrangement of the camera in step S1301, and data stored in theEEPROM 106 is read again and written in the (S1303). In step S1305, acounter PON timer is set to the number of times that the PON loop is tobe repeated subsequently. Then, control proceeds to the PON loop.

PON LOOP

In the PON loop, AE calculations for calculating a Tv/Av value arecarried out based on data communications between the camera body 10 andthe lens system 12, data communications between the camera body 10 andan external flash bulb (not shown), a photometric process, and theresults of the photometric process. A shutter release process can alsobe carried out in the PON loop.

First, in order to determine the cyclic period of the PON loop, a 128-mstimer is started (S1311), and the display on the external display LCDpanel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 is controlled accordingto the SW operation display loop (S1313). If main SW is set to "1"(S1315: main SW="1"), then data are transmitted from the external flashbulb to the camera body 10 and data communications take place betweenthe camera body 10 and the lens system 12 (S1317, S1319). Then, a normalphotometric process is carried out (S1321), and AE calculations arecarried out based on photometric data (S1323). Based on the results ofthe AE calculations, data are transmitted from the camera body 10 to theflash bulb (S1325), after which data including the results of the AEcalculations are displayed in the SW operation display loop (S1327).

If the shutter release button 26 is fully pressed (S1329: releaseSW="0"), the shutter release process is executed. If the release switch72 is turned off (S1329: release SW="1"), then an AF loop is called.Until the 128-ms timer runs out, the AF loop is repeatedly called whilethe release SW is being monitored (S1329 through S1333). After theelapse of 128 ms, if all of the photometric switch, the hyper switch,the UP switch, and the DOWN switch are turned off, i.e., photometric SW,HYPSW, UPSW, and DOWNSW are set to "1", if the PF mode flag remains setto "0", indicating that the special function setting mode is notselected (S1335 through S1343), and if the PON loop has been repeatedthe number of times that has been set in step S1305, then control goesto the POFF loop (S1345 through S1347). Otherwise, the PON loop isrepeated.

SHUTTER RELEASE PROCESS

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the shutter release process. In theshutter release process, a photometric process (S1401), datacommunications from the flash bulb to the camera body 10 (S1403), AEcalculations (S1405) described later on, data communications from thecamera body 10 to the flash bulb (S1407) based on the results of the AEcalculations, and the SW operation display loop (1409). Thereafter, aseries of exposure operations are carried out which include a process oflifting the main mirror and controlling the aperture (S1411), anexposure process (S1413), and a process of winding the film and loweringthe mirror (S1417). In the camera of the present invention, after theexposure process, learning mode calculations, described later on, arecarried out (S1415) to learn settings made by the user. After theshutter release process, control goes back to the PON loop shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B.

SWITCH OPERATION DISPLAY LOOP PROCESS

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the SW operation display loopprocess for controlling the display on the external display LCD panel 34and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 in response to operation of thecontrol buttons of the camera. In the SW operation display loop, variousprocesses are carried out and displayed including the display of an ISOfilm sensitivity and switching between the PF setting mode and otherphotographing modes in response to operation of the control buttons.

In step S1501, the condition of the various switches that are set by thecontrol buttons of the cameras are read, and various flags (main SW, PFmode flag, mode SW, drive SW, PFOUTM flag) are set based on the readcondition of the switches.

When the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 are pressedsimultaneously while the camera is in a normal condition ready to takepictures, the ISO film sensitivity is displayed on the external displayLCD panel 34. Continued pressing of the mode button 40 and the drivebutton 38 for a predetermined time causes the camera to enter the PFsetting mode, i.e., the special function setting mode. In the PF settingmode, the PF mode flag is set to "1" as described later on. If main SWis set to "0" in the SW operation display loop, then the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 arede-energized (S1521). Then, after a PF cancelling process is carried out(S1523), control returns to the location where the SW operation displayloop has been called.

If main SW is set to "1" and the camera is not in the PF setting mode,then the status of mode SW and drive SW are determined. If the modeswitch SW and the drive switch SW are both set to "0", then controlbranches off into different flows depending on the PFOUTM flag. ThePFOUTM flag is set to "1" only when the PF setting mode has endednormally after the camera has entered the PF setting mode. Normally, thePFOUTM flag is set to "0". To return to the ordinary exposure mode fromthe PF setting mode, the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 aresimultaneously pressed continuously for a predetermined time. If bothmode SW and drive SW are on and hence set to "0", then a PF timer isincremented from 0. If the count of the PF timer is less than "31", thenthe ISO film sensitivity is displayed on the external display LCD panel34, and at the same time a remaining period of time until the cameraenters the PF mode is graphically displayed as a according to a PF timerdisplay process, as described later on. After the PF timer displayprocess, control returns to the location where the SW operation displayloop has been called.

If the PF timer counts "31" or more in step S1513, then the PF mode flagindicating that the camera has entered the PF mode is set to "1", and aPFINM flag is also set to "1". The condition that the PF timer count="31" corresponds to a time period of about 2 seconds.

If the PF mode flag is set to "1", then control goes from step S1505 goa PF loop the next time the SW operation display loop is called. The PFloop monitors the status of the various switches while in the PF settingmode. The PF loop will be described later on.

In this embodiment, the ISO film sensitivity is displayed only when themode button 40 and the drive button 38 are simultaneously pressed.However, the external display LCD panel 34 may be controlled such thatonce the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 have been pressed, theexternal display LCD panel 34 will display the ISO film sensitivity fora predetermined period of time even when the mode button 40 and thedrive button 38 are subsequently released.

If either one of the mode switch and the drive switch is turned offwhile the ISO film sensitivity is being displayed, i.e., while theremaining period of time until the camera enters the PF mode is stillbeing displayed as a graph, then the PF timer is cleared and set to "0",and the PFOUTM flag is set to "0".

If the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 are 20 continuouslypressed upon switching from the PF setting mode to the exposure mode,then since the PFOUTM flag is set to "1", control goes from step S1511to an SW operation display process 1, and will not return to the PFsetting mode. In order to return to the PF setting mode again, it isnecessary to release either one of the mode button 40 or the drivebutton 38 to set the PFOUTM flag to "0" in step S1525, and then to pressboth the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 simultaneously again. Asdescribed above, immediately after switching from the PF setting mode tothe exposure mode, the PF setting mode is not immediately started againeven if the drive button and the mode button are continuously pressed.Consequently, the camera can be easily operated.

During operation in the normal exposure mode, unless the mode button andthe drive button are both pressed, processing regarding the PF settingmode is not carried out, and control goes to the SW operation displayprocess 1 (S1507, S1509, S1525).

SWITCH OPERATION DISPLAY PROCESS

FIGS. 16A, 16B-I, 16B-II, and 16C illustrate a flowchart of the SWoperation display process 1. The SW operation display process 1 controlsthe display of data chosen by the UP/DOWN lever 28 for setting.

First, a learning mode flag is set to "0" in step S1601. In thisembodiment, a learning mode inhibit flag is set to "0" (S1925, FIG. 19or S2611, FIG. 26), indicating permission of a learning mode, and thelearning mode flag is set to "1" (S1615, FIG. 16) for effecting alearning mode only when a learning mode (portrait, landscape, movingsubject, and close up) is selected, as described later on.

In step S1603, an U/D loop is executed to set and display various datadepending on the operation of the UP/DOWN lever 28 as described later indetail. An AE mode setting process, shown in FIG. 35, is called at stepS1605 which determines whether the exposure mode, is to be the greenmode, the portrait mode, the landscape mode, the moving subject mode,the close up mode, the program mode, the automatic mode, or the manualmode, depending on the data set in the U/D loop shown in FIG. 34 andalso on whether the main button 36 is in the PICT or ON position, asdescribed later in detail, and sets a variable "AE mode" to a numericalvalue X depending on the exposure mode.

Control then branches off into different flows depending on the value ofX, i.e., exposure mode (S1607, S1609). In FIG. 16B-I and 16B-II, stepsS1611 through S1621 belong to a program shift process as described lateron, and steps S1623, S1625 belong to an exposure correction process. Ifthe exposure mode is the green mode or the manual mode, then the abovesteps are not carried out as no program shift and no exposure correctionare effected. In the automatic mode, only the exposure correction iseffected and no program shift takes place. In the program mode, it ispossible to carry out a program shift though no graph is displayed, andcontrol starts from step S1619.

If the exposure mode is the portrait mode, the landscape mode, themoving subject mode, or the close up mode, then the camera of thepresent invention learns the amount of a program shift that has been setby the user. The learning function is effective in so far as a filmcartridge is loaded in the camera and the learning mode inhibit flag hasbeen set to "0" in the PF setting mode. As long as the above conditionsare satisfied, the learning mode flag is set to "1" (S1611 throughS1615).

In a P shift graph display process, the amount of a program shift thathas been set by the user is displayed as a graph on the external displayLCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62. The amount of aprogram shift that has been set may be cancelled when the Tv/Av button30 alone is pressed (see PSHIFT CLEAR PROCESS, FIG. 38, S3805). In stepS1619, the program shift may be cancelled as described later in detail.

In step S1621, the letters "Tv" and "Av" and the arcuate overlines 58k,58m are displayed on the external display LCD panel 34.

As described above, it is possible to set the camera for exposurecorrection if the exposure mode is the portrait mode, the landscapemode, the moving subject mode, the close up mode, the program mode, orthe automatic mode. Depression of the hyper button 52 causes theexternal display LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 todisplay a graph for exposure correction. With the graph for exposurecorrection being displayed, i.e., with the hyper button 52 pressed, theUP/DOWN lever 28 can be turned to set an amount of exposure correction(S1623). The amount of exposure correction thus set can be cleared bypressing the Tv/Av button 30 with the graph for exposure correctionbeing displayed (S1625). Details of the process for displaying andclearing exposure correction will be described later on.

If the exposure mode is the automatic mode, then switching between theshutter speed preference mode and the aperture preference mode can bemade by pressing the Tv/Av button 30 (S1627). In the shorter speedpreference mode, a Tv value can be altered by turning the UP/DOWN lever28. In the aperture preference mode, an Av value can be altered byturning the UP/DOWN lever 28. At this time, the external display LCDpanel 34 displays the arcuate overlines 58k or 58m over whichever of theTv value or the Av value is preferred, and the viewfinder display LCDpanel 62 displays an underline below whichever of the Tv value or the Avvalue is preferred (S1629).

If the exposure mode is the manual mode, then an alteration of themanually set Tv/Av value from a calculated optimum exposure value, whichis displayed as a graph according to an exposure display process(S1631), can be made. If hyper button 52 alone is pressed in the manualmode, then an optimum exposure value is set which is calculatedaccording to the program. In the manual mode, the Tv/Av value is set bythe UP/DOWN lever 28. Whether the Tv or Av value is to be altered by theUP/DOWN lever 28 is determined by the Tv/Av switch 30 as with theautomatic mode (S1633). As with the automatic mode, the external displayLCD panel 34 displays the arcuate overline 58k or 58m over whichever ofthe Tv or Av value is varied by the UP/DOWN lever 28, and the viewfinderdisplay LCD panel 62 displays an underline below whichever of the Tv orAv value is preferred (S1635).

The Tv and Av values thus determined are displayed on the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 (S1637).The external display LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel62 also display the exposure mode and the drive mode, an indication asto whether a learning mode is to take place or not, and various otherdata according to the modes (S1641).

PF LOOP PROCESS

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the PF loop process. The PF loop controls thebranching into a PF loop 1 for setting and altering various specialfunctions in the PF setting mode, and a process for returning to thenormal exposure mode after a function has been set.

A special function (PF) is set by selecting settable items with the modebutton 40 and altering the data settings by turning the UP/DOWN button28. If one minute elapses without setting any special functions duringoperation in the PF setting mode, then the PF setting mode is cancelled,and control returns to the exposure mode. To this end, if one of themode switch 84 (S1701), the UP switch 78 (S1703), or the DOWN switch 80(S1705) is turned on, then a PF end timer is set to "0" (S1707), and ifnone of the mode switch, the UP switch, and the DOWN switch is turnedon, the PF end timer continues to measure time.

When control proceeds from the normal exposure mode to the PF loop inresponse to simultaneous pressing of the mode button 40 and the drivebutton 38 for a predetermined period of time, since the PFINM flag hasbeen set to "1" in step S1527 in FIG. 15, control goes from step S1715in FIG. 17 to a PF display process. In as much as the PFINM flag is setto "0" in the PF display process, the PF display process is executedonly when control goes to the PF setting process. Once the mode button40 or the drive button 38 is released, the PF display process will notbe executed during operation in the PF setting mode.

The setting items are changed by the PF loop 1 when the mode switch isturned on, i.e., mode SW is set to "0" (S1711). If both mode SW anddrive SW are set to "0" for a predetermined period of time, which is of2 seconds in this embodiment, then control proceeds to a PF setting endprocess, in which the special function that has been set is installed,i.e., written in the EEPROM 106. The time until control goes to the PFsetting end process is measured and displayed in the same manner as thesteps S1513, S1515, S1519 shown in FIG. 15 (S1717, S1719, S1721).

PF DISPLAY PROCESS

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the PF display process that is executed whencontrol proceeds from the normal exposure mode to the PF setting mode.The PF display process is executed when control enters the PF settingmode after the lapse of a predetermined period of time after the ISOfilm sensitivity has been displayed by simultaneously pressing the modebutton 40 and the drive button 38 while the camera is operating in thenormal exposure mode.

If the count of the PF timer reaches a predetermined value (31) or more,i.e., if the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 are continuouslypressed for 2 seconds, the PF mode flag and the PFINM flag are set to"1" in step S1527 in FIG. 15. Then, when the SW operation display loopshown in FIG. 15 is executed with the mode button 40 and the drivebutton 38 being pressed, control goes to the PF loop in step S1505, andgoes from step S1715 in the PF loop in FIG. 17 to the PF display processin FIG. 18.

In the PF display process, the letters "PF" are displayed indicatingthat control has entered the PF setting mode, and a mode SWM flag(described later on) is set to "1". If the Tv/Av button 30 is notpressed at this time (S1803: clear SW="1"), then control returns to thelocation where the SW operation display loop branched into the PFdisplay process has been called.

The camera of this embodiment is arranged such that all specialfunctions that are set are cleared and default values are set if theTv/Av button 30 is pressed while "PF" is being displayed on the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 by pressing the mode button 40 and the drive button38. Such a process is executed in steps S1805 through S1815. Depressionof the Tv/Av button 30 (S1803: clear SW="0") sets the mode SWM flag to"0" (S1805). In order to set the PF timer to "0" when the process ofstep S1805 and the following steps are executed for the first time,control branches into different flows depending on a PFINM2 flag in stepS1807. Specifically, the PFINM2 flag is set to "0" in a first cycle, andset to "1" in second and subsequent cycles. In the second and subsequentcycles, therefore, the PF timer is not reset. Steps S1811 through S1815are similar to the steps S1515 through S1519 shown in FIG. 15 or thesteps S1717 through S1721 shown in FIG. 17 in that the remaining periodof time until control goes to a PF all-clear process to clear settingsis displayed as a graph. Upon elapse of a predetermined period of time,i.e., when the count of the PF timer exceeds "31", control goes to thePF all-clear process which changes the settings to the default values.

PF LOOP 1 PROCESS

FIGS. 19A, 19B-I and 19B-II is a flowchart of the PF loop 1 process forcontrolling the setting of special functions and display of thesettings.

The camera of this embodiment is arranged such that if no settings aremade for one minute or more during operation in the PF setting mode, allthe settings during the operation in the PF setting mode are cancelled,and the settings immediately before the control went to the PF settingmode are retained as they. Were. Therefore, step S1901 determineswhether the PF end timer has run for one minute or more. As shown insteps S1701 through S1707 in FIG. 17, the PF end timer is reset eachtime one of the mode switch, the UP switch, or the DOWN switch for thePF setting mode are judged as being turned on. That is, each time themode button 40 or the UP/DOWN lever 28 is operated on, the PF end timeris set to "0". If the mode button 40 and the UP/DOWN lever 28 are notoperated for one minute or longer, then control proceeds from step S1901to a PF cancel process.

During operation of the PF setting mode, control goes from step S1901 tostep S1903. In step S1903, the PFINM flag is set to "0", and the PFtimer is set to a count value "0". The PFINM flag is set to "1" in stepS1527 in FIG. 15 when control goes from the exposure mode to the PFsetting mode, causing control to branch to the PF display process instep S1715 in FIG. 17. If the mode button 40 and the drive button 38remain pressed after control has entered the PF setting mode, thenbecause the PFINM flag is set to "1", control always goes from stepS1715 to the PF display process. Once the mode button 40 or the drivebutton 38 is released, the PF display process is no longer executed, andcontrol proceeds from step S1715 to step S1717, permitting the PFsetting end process to be carried out.

For shifting from the PF setting mode to the exposure mode, it isnecessary to press the mode button 40 and the drive button 38simultaneously for a predetermined period of time. The PF timer servesto measure such a predetermined period of time. As can be seen fromsteps S1711, S1713 in FIG. 17 in connection with step S1903 in FIG. 19,the PF timer is set to "0" once the mode button 40 or the drive button38 is released.

Then, steps S1905 and S1907 determine whether the UP/DOWN lever 28 isoperated on or not. If the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned to increasedesignated variable data, then a UPM flag is set to "1" (FIG. 23) in theU/D loop, and if the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned to reduce designatedvariable data, then a DOWNM flag is set to "1" (FIG. 23) in the U/D loop(FIG. 22).

If the UP/DOWN lever 28 is not operated, then settable items as specialfunctions are changed when the mode button 40 is pressed in step S1937of a process called in step S1909. The camera of this embodiment hasfive items, given below, as special functions that can be changed:

(A) ISO film sensitivity,

(B) Learning mode changing level,

(C) Whether a sound is to be generated or not when the lens system isautomatically focused,

(D) Whether a learning mode is to take place or not, and

(E) Clearing of a learning mode.

These five items (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) are selected for settingsuccessively in the order named each time the mode button 40 is pressedin the PF setting mode. When the mode button 40 is pressed once morewhile the item (E) is being selected, the item (A) is selected again.

The U/D loop is executed only when the mode SWM flag is found to be "0"in step S1911. In the U/D loop, the data of the settable items arechanged by turning the UP/DOWN lever 28. In this embodiment, only whenone of the mode button 40 or the UP/DOWN lever 28 is operated, can thesettable items or the data be changed. Step S1911 determines whether theU/D loop is to be called or not based on the mode SWM flag. The mode SWMflag is set to a different value in a PF mode UP process in step S1909depending on mode switch 84 as described later in detail.

Steps S1915 through S1927 display an item that is being set and its dataaccording to a value X allocated to the mode. If the item to be set isthe item (A) above, then the ISO film sensitivity is displayed. If theitem to be set is the item (B), then a numerical value ranging from "0"to "4" corresponding to a combination of a selected learning level andthe number of times that the learning mode is to take place isdisplayed. If the item to be set is the item (C), then a numeral "0"indicating that the electronic buzzer 108 is to be energized when thelens system is in focus or a numeral "1" indicating that the electronicbuzzer 108 is not to be energized when the lens system is in focus isdisplayed, and the electronic buzzer 108 is energized periodically whenthe numeral "0" is selected or is not energized when the numeral "1" isselected, allowing the user to confirm the setting aurally. If the itemto be set is the item (D), then a numeral "0" indicating that a learningmode is to take place or a numeral "1" indicating that a learning modeis not to take place is displayed, and a learning mark 56s is energizedor de-energized on the external LCD display 34, allowing the user toconfirm the setting visually. If the item to be set is the item (E),then a symbol indicating a selected exposure mode and the letters "CL"indicating that clearing of a learning mode is set are displayed.

The PF loop 1 branches off from the SW operation display process.Therefore, after the PF loop is finished, control returns to thelocation where the SW operation display process has been called.

PF MODE UP PROCESS

FIG. 19C is a flowchart of the PF mode UP process that is called in stepS1909 shown in FIG. 19A. The PF mode UP process is called when theUP/DOWN lever 28 is not turned. When the PF mode UP process starts to beexecuted, it first determines whether the mode button 40 has beenpressed or not (S1931). If mode SW has been set to "1", then the modeSWM flag has been set to "0". Thus, control will proceed from step S1911to step S1913 in FIG. 19A, making it possible to alter the data with theUP/DOWN lever 28.

If mode SW has been set to "0", then the PF mode is incremented (S1937)to change the settable item as long as the mode SWM flag is set to "0".Since the PF mode is of five types ranging from 0 to 4, when the PF modereaches 5, it is again set to "0" (S1939). Once the PF mode isincremented, the mode SWM flag is set to "1" (S1943). After theparticular settable item has been changed by pressing the mode button40, the process of changing the setting items is not executed in stepS1935 if the mode button 40 remains pressed. In other words, thesettable items are not actually changed unless the mode button 40 isreleased. Therefore, the camera is highly convenient to operate on.

After the above process, control returns to the location where the PFmode UP process has been called.

PF ALL-CLEAR AND PF SETTING END PROCESS

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the PF all-clear process and the PF settingend process.

The PF all-clear process is executed when the count of the PF timerreaches "31" or more in step S1811 in the PF display process shown inFIG. 18. Specifically, the PF all-clear process is executed when theTv/Av button 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time of 2seconds after control has entered the PF setting mode by simultaneouslypressing the mode button 40 and the drive button 38 for a predeterminedperiod of time, with the external display LCD panel 34 displaying "PF".In the PF all-clear process, all data, the setting of which can bealtered in the PF setting mode, are returned to initial values (S2001).

If a DX film is loaded in the camera, then an ISO film sensitivity readfrom the DX code of the film is set as an initial value. Otherwise, anISO film sensitivity of 100 is set as a default value. With respect tothe learning mode changing level, a changing level =0, the number oftimes 1 that the learning mode is to take place =3 times, and the numberof times 2 that the learning mode is to take place =3 times are set asinitial values. With respect to the sound to be generated when the lenssystem is focused, an initial setting is that the electronic buzzer 108is to be energized when the lens system is focused. As regards the itemas to whether learning is to take place or not, an initial setting isthat a learning mode is to take place. In order to clear learning modeswith regard to the portrait, landscape, moving subject, and close upexposure modes, all learning mode clear flags corresponding to therespective modes are set to "1".

The above settings are written in the RAM. In the PF setting end processin step S2011 and the following steps, the set data in the RAM arewritten in the EEPROM 108.

Concerning the items of ISO film sensitivity, the learning mode changinglevel, whether a sound is to be generated when the lens system isfocused, and whether a learning mode is to take place, the data in thethat gave been set and altered in the PF setting mode correspond to thedata in the EEPROM. Therefore, the data in the RAM are written in theEEPROM (S2011). With respect to the clearing of a learning mode, sinceonly the value of the learning mode clear flag is altered for each mode(S1927, FIG. 19 B-II), GENPSFT(X) and STDYCNT(X) in the RAM are reset toinitial data and written in the EEPROM only when the value of thelearning mode clear flag (X) corresponding to each mode is "1" (S2013through S2019).

After the above process, control proceeds to step S2111 in FIG. 21 toreset the various flags and the counter. At this time, the PFOUTM flagindicating that control has shifted from the PF setting mode to theexposure mode is set to "1".

The PF all-clear process branches off from the SW operation displayloop. Therefore, when the PF all-clear process comes to an end, controlreturns to the location where the SW operation display loop has beencalled.

PF CANCEL PROCESS

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the PF cancel process.

In the camera of this embodiment, special functions are set in the PFsetting mode, and the settings are written in the EEPROM when the modebutton 40 and the drive button 38 are simultaneously pressedcontinuously for a predetermined period of time (see FIGS. 17 and 20),after which the PF setting mode ends. If the PF setting mode isinterrupted in another way, i.e., if the main button 36 is shifted intothe OFF position during operation in the PF setting mode, or if nosettings are made for one minute or more in the PF setting mode, thenthe data altered in the PF setting mode are not written into the EEPROM106, but cancelled. In particular, if no settings are made for oneminute or more in the PF setting mode, then control automatically shiftsfrom the PF setting mode to the exposure mode. If the PF cancel processis executed, the learning mode clear flag (X) is set to "0" so that thelearning mode will not be cleared in any mode (S2101).

The PF cancel process branches off from the SW operation display loop.Therefore, when the PF cancel process comes to an end, control returnsto the location where the SW operation display loop has been called.

U/D LOOP PROCESS

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the U/D loop process for varying data inresponse to turning of the UP/DOWN lever 28.

If the DOWN switch 80 is turned on, i.e., if DOWNSW checked in stepS2401 of FIG. 24 is set to "0", then the DOWNM flag (DOWN memory flag)is set to "1", and the UPM flag (UP memory flag) is set to "0" (S2409),and if UPSW checked in step S2301 is set to "0", then the UPM flag isset to "1", and the DOWNM flag is set to "0" (S2809), as described laterin detail. Therefore, if the UP switch 78 is turned on, then an UP loopflag is set to "1", and an UP loop process is carried out and a DOWNloop process is not carried out (S2201 through S2205). If the downswitch 80 is turned on, then the UP loop flag is set to "0", and onlythe DOWN loop process is carried out (S2207 through S2211). After theabove process, control returns to the location where the U/D loop hasbeen called.

UP LOOP PROCESS

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an UP loop process that is called in the U/Dloop (FIG. 22).

If the UP switch 78 is turned off (S2301: UPSW="1"), then no data isaltered, and the UP memory flag that indicates that the UP switch 78 isturned off is set to "0" (S2305) and control goes back to the U/D loop.

If the UP switch 78 is turned on (S2301: UPSW="0"), then step S2305determines whether the UP switch 78 was turned on when the UP loop waspreviously called. If the UP switch 78 was previously turned on (UPmemory flag="1"), control goes to an U/D timer loop process. The U/Dloop is repeated at a cyclic period of about 64 ms (twice in 128 ms);thus, if data were altered based on only the condition of the UP switch78 at the time the UP loop is called, e.g., when the UP switch 78remains turned on, i.e., when the user has turned the UP/DOWN lever 28in the direction to increase the variable data and keeps it turned inthat direction, then the data would be altered in a very short period oftime. To prevent such data alteration from happening, if the UP switch78 or the DOWN switch 80 is continuously turned on, the period isextended in a software implemented manner in the U/D timer loop.

If the UP memory flag is "0", then data are altered in a data U/Dprocess, and the UP memory flag indicating that the UP switch 78 hasbeen turned on is set to "1", and at the same time the DOWN memory flagindicating that the DOWN switch 80 has not been turned on is set to "0",with the count of an U/D timer used in the U/D timer loop being set to"0" (S2305 through S2309).

DOWN LOOP PROCESS

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a DOWN loop process that is called in the U/Dloop (FIG. 22). Steps S2401 through S2409 are substantially the same asthose shown in FIG. 23 according to whether the DOWN switch 80 is turnedon or off.

U/D TIMER LOOP PROCESS

Steps S2411 through S2417 of FIG. 24 represent the U/D timer loopprocess.

In the U/D timer loop, if the count of the U/D timer that is incrementedeach time the U/D timer loop is executed (S2417) reaches "8" or more(S2411), then special function data is altered (S2413). Specifically, ifthe U/D timer loop is executed 8 times with the UP/DOWN lever 28 turned,the data is altered in a manner depending on the direction in which theUP/DOWN lever 28 is turned. When the data is altered, the U/D timer isreset, and the count thereof is set to "0" (S2415).

DATA U/D PROCESS

FIG. 25-I and 25-II is a flowchart of the DATA U/D process which carriesout a data alteration in response to operation of the UP/DOWN lever 28.

If the process is called during operation in the PF setting mode (S2501:the PF mode flag="1"), control branches off into a PF data U/D processin which a special function is changed by the combined operation of theUP/DOWN lever 28 and the mode button 40.

If the process is called and the PF mode flag ="0", then controlbranches off into different flows depending on an operation button thatis pressed in combination with the UP/DOWN lever 28.

If the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned while the mode button 40 is beingpressed, then the exposure mode is changed (S2503, S2505). If theUP/DOWN lever 28 is turned while the drive button 38 is being pressed,then the drive mode is changed (S2507, S2509). If the UP/DOWN lever 28is turned while the hyper button 52 is being pressed, then the exposurecorrection is carried out (S2511, S2513). If only the UP/DOWN lever 28is operated on, then according to a value X:

(1) a program shift is executed when the photographing mode is any oneof the portrait, landscape, moving object, close up, and program modes(S2517, S2519), or

(2) the Tv value or the Av value is altered when the photographing modeis the automatic or manual mode (S2521, S2523, S2524). Whether the Avvalue or the Tv value is to be altered is determined by pressing theTv/Av button 30.

After the above process, control returns to the location where the dataU/D process has been called.

DATA U/D PROCESS

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the PF DATA U/D process which changes data ofthe items of the PF (special function) in the PF setting mode.

Data of the special function item that has been chosen for setting bythe pressing of the mode button 40 (in step S1909 in FIG. 19A and stepS1937 in FIG. 19C) is altered with this process according to theallocated value X (S2601, S2603).

If the item to be set is the ISO film sensitivity, then the ISO filmsensitivity is changed stepwise by turning the UP/DOWN lever 28 (S2605).

When the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while the ISO film sensitivity isbeing set, an initial value is set as the ISO film sensitivity, e.g., aDX value is set according to a DX code of a film if one is loaded in thecamera, or an initial value =100 is set otherwise.

If the item to be set is the learning mode changing level, a variable,representing a changing level for learning and corresponding to acombination of a changing amount and the number of times that thelearning mode is to take place, can be set to a value ranging from "0"to "4". One step of the changing amount corresponds to a change of Tv orAv by an amount corresponding to about 0.5 Ev, i.e. one step of thechanging amount effects a change of the Tv value by 0.5 in the onedirection and a change of the Av value in the opposite direction, sothat the Ev value is constant. Thus, if the amount of a program shiftthat is actually set by the user, in use, is equal to or greater than achanging amount that has been set, then it is learned if that exposureis effected a number of times indicated by the "number of times 1" thatthe learning mode has been set, and if the amount of a program shiftthat is actually set by the user, in use, is smaller than a changingamount that has been set, then it is learned if that exposure iseffected a number of times indicated by the "number of times 2" that thelearning mode has been set (S2807).

If the item to be set is whether the AF sound mode is to be turned on ornot, then a focusing ON Inhibit flag toggles between "0" and "1"(S2809).

If the item to be set is whether a learning mode Is to be inhibited ornot, then the learning mode inhibit flag toggles between "0" and "1"(S2611).

If the item to be set is the clearing of a learning mode, then a pictureindicating the photographing mode Is displayed on the external displayLCD panel 34, the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned to select one or all of thefour modes of clearing a learning mode, and the Tv/Av button 30 ispressed to set clearing of a learning mode (S2813).

P SHIFT U/D PROCESS

FIG. 27-I and 27-II is a flowchart of a P Shift U/D process for settinga program shift. If the exposure mode is the green mode, then since noprogram shift can be effected, the process of step S2703 and the stepsthat follow is not executed (S2701: P shift inhibit flag ="1").

If the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned in a positive direction, then aprogram shift (P shift) is possible only when the Tv value is not inexcess of a maximum value and the Av value does not reach a minimumvalue (S2705: TvMAX ="0", S2707: AvMIN ="0"). If the direction bit,stored in the RAM, that represents the direction of a program shift isnegative, then 0.5 is subtracted from the amount of a P shift until itbecomes 0. When the amount of a P shift becomes 0, the direction bit ismade positive (S2717 through S2721). If the direction bit is positive,0.5 is added to the amount of a P shift unless the amount of a P shiftbecomes equal to or greater than 154/8 (S2713, S2715).

If the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned in a negative direction, then aprogram shift is possible only when the Tv value is greater than theminimum value and the Av value does not exceed the maximum value. If theP shift direction bit in the RAM is positive, then 0.5 is subtractedfrom the amount of a P shift (S2727, S2729). If the amount of a P shiftbecomes negative as a result of the subtraction, then because the datain the RAM are represented by decimal notation, the data are processedsuch that they will be represented by a negative direction bit and theabsolute value of the amount of a P shift (S2729 through S2733). If thedirection bit is negative, then 0.5 is added to the amount of a P shiftunless it becomes equal to or greater than the maximum value (S2735,S2727).

EXPOSURE CORRECTION U/D PROCESS

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an exposure correction U/D process.

If the direction in which the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned is positive,i.e. if the UPLOOP flag is set to "1" in step S2208, then the exposurecorrection value Xv is incremented by 0.5 until an upper limit Xv=3.0 isreached (S2801 through S2805), and if that direction is negative, i.e.if the UPLOOP flag is set to "0" in step S2209, then Xv is decrementedby 0.5 until a lower limit Xv=-8.0 is reached (S2801 through S2807).

P SHIFT GRAPH DISPLAY PROCESS

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a P shift graph display process fordisplaying, as a graph, the amount by which a program shift has beenset.

To display a program shift as a graph, data in a P shift display tableshown in FIG. 31 are read and displayed based on the direction andamount of a shift of the origin and the direction and amount of aprogram shift that is set with reference to the origin. In FIG. 31,black dots represent energized areas, and black dots with radial linesindicate that the black dots are alternately turned on and off. Dataspecified by Y and Z in FIG. 31 are displayed on the external displayLCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62.

In FIG. 29, the direction bit and the amount of a shift of the origincorresponding to an exposure mode that has been set are read from theRAM (S2901 through S2905), and the value of Y in FIG. 31 is calculatedfrom the origin direction bit and the amount of the origin shift (S2907through S2911). Then, the value of Z shown in FIG. 31 is calculated fromthe P shift direction bit and the amount of the P shift (S2913 throughS2917). If the value of Z is less than or equal to zero or equal to orgreater than "10", then Z is set to "0" or "10", respectively (S2919through S2925). Based on the values of Y and Z thus determined, displaydata of the display table shown in FIG. 31 are written in the RAM forthe LCD panels (S2927, S2929).

EXPOSURE CORRECTION DISPLAY PROCESS

FIG. 30-I and 30-II is a flowchart of an exposure correction displayprocess that is called in step S1623 shown in FIG. 16.

Depending on the exposure correction value Xv that has been set, any oneof an Xv zero flag, Xv plus flag, and Xv minus flag is set to "1" (S3001through S3011).

If HYPSW is on, i.e. set to "0", by pressing the hyper button 52, theexposure correction value Xv is displayed as a numeral (S3013, S3015).Then, an exposure correction graph display process is executed in stepS3031 and the following steps.

If HYPSW is off, i.e. set to "1", then no graph display is carried outif the exposure correction value Xv is "0" (S3013, S3017, S3019) andcontrol proceeds to step S1624 in the SW operation display process 1.

If the main button 36 is in the PICT position with HYPSW set to "1"(off), then the mark "+" or "-" is displayed on the external display LCDpanel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 depending on whether Xvis positive or negative (S3021 through S3027).

If the main button 36 is in the ON position with the hyper switch isturned off ("1"), then control goes to an exposure correction graphdisplay step (S3021: PICTSW="1").

In the exposure correction graph display step, the amount of correctionis displayed as a graph on the external display LCD panel 34 and theviewfinder display LCD panel 62, using data in an exposure correctiongraph display table shown in FIG. 40.

Specifically, data of the exposure correction graph display table shownin FIG. 40 is selected based on the exposure correction value Xv, andgraduations are displayed on the external display LCD panel 34 and theviewfinder display LCD panel 62, with the data selected from FIG. 40being displayed thereon. The exposure correction value that can bedisplayed as a graph ranges from -2.0 Ev to +2.0 Ev, even though theexposure correction value that can be set ranges from 3.0 Ev to +3.0 Ev.If the exposure correction value is outside of the range that can bedisplayed in the graph, then it is indicated by turning on and offblack-dot marks at the ends of the graph.

After the above process, step S1624 in the SW operation display 1 iscarried out.

PF TIMER DISPLAY PROCESS

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of the PF timer display process for displaying atime remaining when the control enters the PF setting mode bysimultaneously pressing the drive button 38 and the mode button 40, andalso when the control leaves the PF setting mode. Switching between thePF setting mode and the exposure mode is effected when the count of thePF timer reaches a predetermined value of 31 or greater (FIGS. 15 and18). Therefore, based on the numerical value of the PF timer, PF timerdisplay data shown in FIG. 37 is selected and written in a display RAMfor enabling the external display LCD panel 34 to display a graphrepresentative of the remaining period of time (S3201, S3203).

AE MODE U/D PROCESS

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of an AE mode U/D process for selecting anexposure mode with the UP/DOWN lever 28.

Control branches off into different flows at step S3401 depending on thedirection in which data are changed, i.e., the direction in which theUP/DOWN lever 28 is turned. If UP switch 78 is turned on and thereforethe UPLOOP flag is set to "1" in step S2203 of FIG. 22, then the controlgoes from step S3401 to step S3403. If the down switch 80 is turned onand therefore the UPLOOP flag is set to "0" in step S2209, then thecontrol goes from step S3401 to step S3421.

Depending on whether the main button 36 is in the PICT position or theON position, the exposure mode becomes the picture mode (PICT mode) orthe full-spec mode (FULL mode) at step S3403. As shown in FIG. 33, anexposure mode is selected by setting one digit of 8-bit data to "1" andthe other digits to "0". If the 8-bit data of an exposure mode isindicated as "Exposure mode" 8-bit data!, then it may be represented inthe PICT mode by:

Green mode: 00000001!,

Moving subject mode: 00001000!, and in the Full by:

Automatic mode 00000010!.

If the 8-bit data is indicated by the decimal notation as "Exposuremode" (decimal number), it may be represented

Green mode: (1),

Moving subject mode: (3), and

Automatic mode: (2).

As shown in FIG. 33, when the data in the PICT mode, for example, isshifted from

Green mode 00000001!, it successively becomes:

Portrait mode 00000010!,

Landscape mode 00000100!,

Moving subject mode 00001000!, and

Close up mode 00010000!.

In this embodiment, since there are five exposure modes that can beselected in the PICT mode, the maximum value of the 8-bit data is00010000!. If the value of the PICT mode has reached "16" in step S3405shown in FIG. 34, then any exposure mode corresponding to data shiftedleftwards does not exist. Therefore, the data is reset to 1. Even whenthe UP/DOWN lever 28 is continuously turned in the direction to alterthe data described above for example, the green mode can be selectedfollowing the close up mode. Consequently, the camera can easily beoperated.

Steps S3415 through S3419 are the same as the above process with respectto the FULL mode. Steps S3421 through S3433 are basically the same asdescribed above except that the "1" in the 8-bit data is shifted to theright and when the data reaches the value 1, a further confirmation ofthe down switch 80 by the UP/DOWN lever 28 leads to resetting the datato its maximum value. As can be seen from FIG. 33, this maximum value inthe PICT mode is "16" and in the ON mode is "4".

AE MODE SETTING PROCESS

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the AE mode setting process for converting thevalue of the PICT mode or the FULL mode that has been set in the AE modeU/D process shown in FIG. 34 into another variable "AE mode".

In the AE mode setting process, the PICT mode is represented by binarynumbers from 00000001! to 00010000!, and the FULL mode is represented bybinary numbers from 00000001! to 00000100!. The AE mode setting processserves to represent the PICT mode or the FULL mode with one variable "AEmode".

First, an initial value of "AE mode" is set according to the position ofthe main button 36 (S3501, S3503, S3507). Then, a variable N is made tobe the same as the value of the PICT mode or the FULL mode that has beenset in the AE mode U/D process shown in FIG. 34 (S3505, S3509).Thereafter, the variable N is shifted rightwards until N=1, and thenumber of times that the variable N is shifted is added to the initialvalue of "AE mode", thus obtaining the relationship between the AE modeand the exposure mode as shown in FIG. 36.

P SHIFT CLEAR PROCESS

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a P shift clear process that is called in stepS1619 in FIG. 16. When the Tv/Av button 30 alone is pressed, the amountof a program shift that has been set is cancelled, and the programreturns to its original position. In the camera of this embodiment, ifthe Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while the hyper button 52 is beingpressed, then the exposure correction is cleared. Therefore, the programshift is cleared only when the hyper button 52 is not pressed (S3801:HYPSW="1").

EXPOSURE CORRECTION CLEAR PROCESS

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of an exposure correction clear process that iscalled in step S1625 shown in FIG. 16.

The exposure correction value Xv is set to "0" when the hyper button 52and the Tv/Av button 30 are simultaneously pressed (S3901 throughS3905).

MAIN BUTTON POSITIONS AND INITIAL DISPLAY SCREEN

FIGS. 60B and 60C show, by way of example, display screens of theexternal display LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 32 atthe time the main button 38 is in the PICT position as shown in FIG.Specifically, FIG. 30A shows the main button 36 shifted to the PICTposition, and FIGS. 60B and 60C show the display screens of the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 at thistime. In this example, the frame 58b in FIG. 60C indicates the portraitmode as the selected exposure mode.

FIGS. 61A through 61C show an example in which the main button 36 is inthe ON position. FIGS. 61B and 61C show the display screens of theexternal display LCD panel 34 and the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 atthis time. In this example, as described later in detail, as indicatedby the letter "P", the program mode is selected as the exposure mode,and as indicated by the black dot 58f, an exposure correction is set to-0.5 Ev.

FIG. 62 shows, by way of example, a display screen of the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 at the time the main button 36 is in the PICTposition as with FIG. 60C. In this example, the portrait mode isselected as the exposure mode. It can also be seen from this displayscreen that a learning function is turned on, and a program shift of+0.5 Ev has already been learned. A positive exposure correction iscarried out. The display of a program shift and the display of anexposure correction will be described later in detail.

PF SETTING MODE DISPLAY

FIGS. 63A through 63G show a display screen of the external display LCDpanel 34 at the time the camera enters the PF setting mode process. ThePF timer display data shown in FIG. 37 is set in the RAM and displayedaccording to the PF timer display process that is called in step S1519of FIG. 15 (FIGS. 63A through 63E). Until the camera enters the PFsetting mode, the ISO film sensitivity is displayed in step S1517 shownin FIG. 15. All other displayed data are turned off so that only therequired data is displayed. The time it takes after nine dots aredisplayed until they are all turned off is about 2 seconds.

When all the dots are turned off after the elapse of the period of 2seconds, the PF display process shown in FIG. 18 is executed, displaying"PF" as shown in FIG. 63F. When the mode button 40 and the drive button38 are released at this time, the displayed "PF" changes to displayeddata, which is the first item to be set in the PF setting mode, foraltering the ISO film sensitivity (FIG. 63G and FIG. 65A).

DISPLAY OF PF ALL-CLEAR

When the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while "PF" is being displayed in thePF setting mode, the PF timer display process is called in step S1815 inFIG. 18, thereby displaying the dots again (FIG. 64A). When all the ninedots have turned off after 2 seconds, all the settings in the PF(special function) mode are cleared (FIG. 20: PF ALL-CLEAR process), andthe external display LCD panel 34 displays "CL" as shown in FIG. 64B.

SPECIAL FUNCTION SETTING AND DISPLAY

As described above, during operation in the PF setting mode, a settableitem is selected by the mode button 40, and the UP/DOWN lever 28 isturned to alter the data in the selected item.

SETTING OF ISO FILM SENSITIVITY

FIGS. 65A and 65B show a display screen for altering the setting of theISO film sensitivity. The data that has been altered in step S2605 (FIG.26) of the PF DATA U/D process by operation of the UP/DOWN lever 28 isdisplayed on the external display LCD 34 in step S1919 shown in FIG.19B. In the illustrated example, ISO 200 (FIG. 65A) is altered to ISO100 (FIG. 65B). The external display LCD panel 34 also displays "1" toindicate the item that is being set.

As described above, if the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed during the settingprocess, the ISO film sensitivity is set to an initial value (DX valueor ISO =100).

SETTING OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE LEARNING MODE IS TO TAKE PLACE

FIGS. 66A and 66B show a displayed example for setting the number oftimes learning in the learning mode is to take place for changing of theprogram. The external display LCD panel 34 displays "2" indicating theitem that is being set. A numerical value ranging from 0 to 4 indicativeof a changing level as a combination of a learning mode changing amountand the number of times that the learning mode is to take place is setby turning the UP/DOWN lever 28. Such a combination of a learning modechanging amount and the number of times that the learning mode is totake place is set in step S2607 shown in FIG. 26, and is displayed instep S1921 shown in FIG. 19B.

SETTING OF WHETHER A SOUND IS TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE LENS SYSTEM ISFOCUSED

FIGS. 67A and 67B show a displayed example for setting whether theelectronic buzzer 108 is to be energized when the lens system isfocused. The external display LCD panel 34 displays "3" indicating theitem that is being set, and also displays letters "Sd" letting the userknow that the setting of sound is being effected. A flag is set to "1"if the electronic buzzer 108 is to be energized and to "0" if not. Sinceit would be difficult to tell the setting only with the flag, if theflag is set to "1", then the electronic buzzer 108 is energized atpredetermined intervals of time together with the display shown in FIG.67B to enable easier use of the camera. The setting is made in stepS2609 shown in FIG. 26, and the display and the energization of theelectronic buzzer 108 are carried out in step S1923 shown in FIG. 19B.

FIGS. 68A through 68F show a modified display example for the setting ofthe electronic buzzer 108 with respect to when the lens system isfocused. In the modified example, If the flag indicating that theelectronic buzzer 108 is to be energized is set to "1", then letters"Sound" are successively divided and displayed to indicate that asetting has been made to energize the electronic buzzer 108 when thelens system is focused. The letters "Sound" are displayed in a 2-digitdisplay area for normally displaying the Av value, each of the 2 digitsbeing composed of 7 segments. Consequently, it is not necessary toprovide special display segments for displaying alphabetical letters.The flag is set in step S2809 shown in FIG. 16, and displayed in stepS1923 shown in FIG. 19B.

SELECTION OF LEARNING FUNCTION

FIGS. 69A and 69B show a displayed example of the setting as to whethera program shift is to be learned or not. The external display LCD panel34 displays "4" indicating the item that is being selected. If thelearning mode is to be carried out, i.e., if the learning mode inhibitflag is set to "0", then the notebook picture is displayed for the userto understand the setting operation easily. The learning function isselected in step S2611 shown in FIG. 26, and displayed in step S1925shown in FIG. 19B. If the flag is altered from "the learning mode is totake place" to "the learning mode is not to take place" after havingbeen in the learning mode, the amount of a program shift that has beenlearned is not cleared, but fixed.

CLEARING OF LEARNED DATA

FIGS. 70A and 70B show a displayed example in which learned data iscleared. The external display LCD panel 34 displays "5" indicating theitem that is being selected, and also alternately turns on and off thenotebook picture and the letters "CL". At this time, the UP/DOWN lever28 is turned to select one or all of the four modes in which thelearning function is effective, and the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed tocomplete the setting for clearing data. When the clearing of learneddata is set, the notebook picture is turned off, and the letters "CL"are continuously turned on as shown in FIG. 70B. The clearing of learneddata is set in step S2813 shown in FIG. 26, and displayed in step S1927shown in FIG. 19B.

SELECTION OF EXPOSURE MODE

FIGS. 71A through 71E show data that are displayed on the externaldisplay LCD panel 34 when the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned while the modebutton 40 is being pressed when the main button 36 is in the PICTposition. The displayed data shown in FIGS. 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 71Ecorrespond respectively to the green mode, the portrait mode, thelandscape mode, the moving subject mode, and the close up mode.

FIG. 71F shows displayed data on the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 inthe portrait, landscape, and close up modes. FIG. 71G shows displayeddata on the viewfinder display LCD panel 62 in the moving subject mode.In the green mode, data is displayed on the viewfinder display LCD panel62 in the same manner as in FIG. 76A.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE OF EXPOSURE CORRECTION IN PICT MODE

FIGS. 72A and 72B show, by way of example, data displayed when the mainbutton 36 is in the PICT position, e.g., when the portrait mode isselected.

FIG. 72A shows the displayed data on the viewfinder display LCD panel62. The amount of a program shift is displayed by graduations and dots.The Tv and Av values that have been calculated based on the shiftedprogram are displayed in an upper region. FIG. 72B shows the displayeddata on the external display LCD panel 34. The external display LCDpanel 34 also displays, in addition to the data displayed on theviewfinder display LCD panel 62, the count of a frame counter, and thepictures representing the drive mode (photographing mode) and the AEmode.

When the hyper button S2 is pressed, an exposure correction isdisplayed. FIGS. 73A and 73B show data displayed on the viewfinderdisplay LCD panel 62 and the external display LCD panel 34 when anexposure correction is carried out. In the illustrated example, theexposure correction has a value of -2.0 Ev. Each of the graduations onthe display panels corresponds to 0.5 Ev, and the central graduationcorresponds to a exposure correction value of 0. In this example, a dotis continuously turned on at the negative end of the graduated scale.The external display LCD panel 34 also numerically displays the exposurecorrection value -2.0.

The exposure correction value that can be displayed as a graph rangesfrom -2.0 Ev to +2.0 Ev. However, the exposure correction value that canbe set ranges from -3.0 Ev to +3.0 Ev in excess of the graph range (seeFIG. 28). If the exposure correction value exceeds the range that can bedisplayed on the graph, then it is indicated by turning on and off theblack-dot marks at the ends of the graph. In FIGS. 74A and 74B, theexposure correction value is -2.5 Ev. In this case, the black dot at thenegative end of the graduated scale is alternately turned on and off.

FIGS. 75A and 75B show, by way of example, an exposure mode that isdisplayed when the hyper button 52 is released after the exposurecorrection value has been set. In this example, the "-" mark indicatingthat the exposure correction value is negative is continuously turnedon. If the Tv/Av button 30 is pressed while the hyper button 52 is beingpressed, then the exposure correction value that has been set is resetto "0".

DISPLAY EXAMPLE OF EXPOSURE CORRECTION IN PROGRAM MODE

FIGS. 76A and 76B show data normally displayed when the exposure mode isthe program mode. FIGS. 77A and 77B show data displayed during thesetting of an exposure correction whilst the exposure mode is theprogram mode. FIGS. 78A and 78B show the data displayed after anexposure correction value has been set whilst the exposure mode is theprogram mode. The normally displayed data does not contain datadisplayed using graduations and dots. However, once an exposurecorrection value is set, the correction value is displayed as a graph inaddition to the normally displayed data. For the exposure correction inthe program mode, exposure correction values can also be displayedbeyond the range that can be displayed by the graph by alternatelyturning on and off a black dot that is at an end of the graph. The blackdot that is alternately turned on and off is also displayed in additionto the normally displayed data when the hyper button 52 is released.

In the program mode, a program shift can also be made (not illustrated).If the program is shifted, then overlines are displayed over the letters"Tv" and "Av" on the external display LCD panel 34, and underlines aredisplayed below the Tv and Av values on the viewfinder LCD panel 62. Ifthe amount of a program shift is 0, then no overlines and underlines aredisplayed.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE OF EXPOSURE CORRECTION IN AUTOMATIC MODE

FIGS. 79A and 79B show data normally displayed when the exposure mode isthe automatic mode. FIGS. 80A and 80B show data displayed during anexposure correction whilst the exposure mode is the automatic mode.FIGS. 81A and 81B show data displayed after an exposure correction valuehas been set whilst the exposure mode is the automatic mode. Thenormally displayed data does not contain data displayed usinggraduations and dots.

The external display LCD 84 can display an arcuate line over the letters"Tv" or "Av", as illustrated, to indicate which of the Tv and Av valueshas been altered by the UP/DOWN lever 28, i.e., which of the shutterspeed preference mode or the aperture preference mode has been selected.The viewfinder display LCD panel 62 displays, as illustrated, an linebelow the Tv or Av value for indicating the same information. Which ofthe Tv or Av values is to be altered can be set by the Tv/Av button 30.

The display of exposure correction in the automatic mode is the same asthat in the program mode. For the exposure correction in the automaticmode, exposure correction values can also be displayed beyond the rangethat can be displayed on the graph by alternately turning on and off ablack dot that is at an end of the graph. The black dot that isalternately turned on and off is also displayed in addition to thenormally displayed data when the hyper button 52 is released.

GRAPH DISPLAY IN MANUAL MODE

FIGS. 82A and 82B show data displayed when seating a Tv value with theUP/DOWN lever 28 when the exposure mode is the manual mode. FIGS. 83Aand 83B show data displayed when setting an Av value with the UP/DOWNlever 28 when the exposure mode is the manual mode. FIGS. 84A and 84Bshow data displayed when the manually set exposure value corresponds toan appropriate exposure value, based on the light measuring processcalculated by the camera, when the exposure mode is the manual mode.

In the manual mode, if the Tv value can be altered with the UP/DOWNlever 28, an arcuate overline is displayed over the letters "Tv"displayed on the external display LCD panel 34, and an underline isdisplayed below the Tv value displayed on the viewfinder display LCDpanel 62 (FIGS. 82A and 82B). In FIGS. 83A and 83B, an arcuate overlineand an underline is displayed above the letters "Av" and below the Avvalue. In the manual mode, although no exposure correction is made, agraph is displayed with graduations and dots in addition to the normaldisplay data. In the camera of this embodiment, AE calculations arecarried out even in the manual mode. The central position on thedisplayed graduations serves as a calculated optimum exposure value. Ifthe exposure setting indicates an excessive out of range exposure value,then dots are displayed on the "+" side of the graduations. In as muchas one graduation corresponds to 0.5 Ev, the exposure setting shown inFIGS. 82A and 82B indicates an excessive exposure value of 1.0 Ev. Thegraduations allow dots to be displayed in the range from -2.0 Ev to +2.0Ev with the optimum exposure value at the range center. If an exposuresetting is in excess of that range, the "-" mark is alternately turnedon and off, indicating an insufficient exposure value outside of therange, as shown in FIGS. 83C and 83D. Radial lines around the "-" markin FIGS. 83C and 83D show that the "-" mark is alternately turned on andoff. When the exposure setting indicates an excessive exposure value,then the "+" mark is alternately turned on and off.

FIGS. 84A and 84B show displayed data indicating that a manual exposurevalue setting and a calculated exposure value are the same as eachother. To equalize the manual exposure value setting to the calculatedexposure value, the UP/DOWN lever 28 is turned to alter the setting inorder to reduce the number of dots that are displayed. In addition, anoptimum exposure value that is calculated is set when the hyper button52 is pressed in the manual mode.

AE CALCULATIONS

An AE (automatic exposure mode) calculation subroutine that is called instep S1323 in the RESTART process shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and in stepS1405 in the shutter release process shown in FIG. 14 will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D.

In this embodiment, the exposure modes of green mode, portrait mode,landscape mode, moving subject mode, and close up mode can be selectedwhen the main button 38 is in the PICT position and the PICT switch 110bis turned on. Other exposure modes include a normal program mode (anormal program automatic exposure mode in which a shutter speed and anaperture are automatically set based on the result of a photometricprocess), an automatic mode (a shutter speed preference automaticexposure mode for automatic lens operation in which an aperture isautomatically set based on a manually set shutter speed and the resultof a photometric process, or an aperture preference automatic exposuremode for automatic lens operation in which a shutter speed isautomatically set based on a manually set aperture and the result of aphotometric process), and a manual exposure mode. Although not shown,the exposure mode also includes a bulb exposure mode for manual lensoperation.

In the AE process, the RAM of the body side CPU 20 is initialized, andvarious flags relating to the photometric process are also initialized.Thereafter, a lens correction calculation subroutine is called (S4101through S4105). In the lens correction calculation subroutine, a lenscorrection calculation process is carried out based on various lensdata, according to the type of the lens system, which data will havebeen supplied from the lens-side CPU 22 (FIG. 11) in "lenscommunications" in the RESTART process shown in FIG. 13A.

Then, subject luminance data detected by each of sensors (photodetector94) for divided photometry, converted by the A/D converter 98, isconverted into a subject luminance Bv suitable for calculations. A lightintensity Lv' from each sensor is determined from the subject luminanceBv and a lens correction value is calculated in step S4105, and then onelight intensity Lv' suitable for the subject is calculated according toa divided photometric algorithm (S4107 through S4111).

Thereafter, a light intensity Lv' determined based on a film sensitivitySv that has been converted for calculations and an exposure correctionvalue Xv for calculations, and values corresponding to a presently setAE mode (number) are put in X (S4113, S4115).

Coefficients a, b, TvL1, etc. corresponding to each AE mode put in X areset in step S4117. These coefficients a, b, TvL1, etc. are stored in theROM of the body side CPU 20, and are read into the RAM as necessary.

In the portrait mode, the program line schematically shown in FIG. 48A,and into which control branches off with X=1, 2/8 is put in as thecoefficient a, which represents the gradient of the program line, and56/8 is put in as the coefficient b. Furthermore, a hand inducedvibration limit Tvf is put in as a first Tv boundary TvL1, an optimum Avvalue Avf is put in as a first Av boundary AvL1, and a minimum apertureAvMIN is put in a second Av boundary AvL2. Then, a program calculationsubroutine is called in step S4143.

In the landscape mode, the program line schematically shown in FIG. 49Aand control branches off with X=2, 2/8 is put in as the coefficient a,and a "landscape coefficient b" is put in as the coefficient b. The"landscape coefficient b" is determined by:

    (6/8)×Tvf-(2/8)×(AvMIN+1).

A minimum shutter speed TvMIN is put in the first Tv boundary TvL1, theminimum aperture AvMIN+1 is put in as the first Av boundary AvL1, andthe minimum aperture AvMIN is put in as the second Av boundary AvL2.Then, the program calculation subroutine is called in step S4143.

In the moving subject mode, the program line schematically shown in FIG.50A, and into which control branches off with X=3, 2/8 is put in as thecoefficient a, and 56/8 is put in as the coefficient b. Furthermore, thehand induced vibration limit Tvf+1 is put in as the first Tv boundaryTvL1, the minimum aperture AvMIN+1 is put in as the first Av boundaryAvL1, and the minimum aperture AvMIN is put in as the second Av boundaryAvL2. Then, the program calculation subroutine is called in step S4143.

In the close up mode, the program line of which is schematically shownin FIG. 51A, into which control branches off with X=4, 2/8 is put in asthe coefficient a, and 86/8 is put in as the coefficient b. Furthermore,the hand induced vibration limit Tvf is put in as the first Tv boundaryTvL1, Av6 (F=8) is put in as the first Av boundary AvL1, and the minimumaperture AvMIN+1 is put in as the second Av boundary AvL2. Then, theprogram calculation subroutine is called in step S4143.

In the program calculation subroutine that is called in step S4143, acontrol Tv value and a control Av value that are actually used forcontrol are calculated based on the Tv and Av values and thecoefficients a and b that are set for each mode (S4119 through S4133 andS4143).

If control branches off into the green mode with X=0, then a programshift inhibit flag is set to "1", inhibiting the program line from beingshifted, and a normal program subroutine is called (S4135, S4137). Inthis normal program subroutine, a control Tv value and a control Avvalue that are actually used for control are calculated.

If control branches off into the normal program mode with X=5, then theprogram shift inhibit flag is not set to "1", and the normal programsubroutine is called (S4187).

If control branches off into the automatic mode with X=8, an automaticcalculation subroutine is called (S4189). If control branches off intothe manual mode with X=7, a manual calculation subroutine is called(S4141).

Whether the determined control Tv and control Av values, determinedaccording to the mode selected in step S4117, can be used for control ornot is checked by a CHK₋₋ TvAv subroutine that is called. If they exceeda controllable range, they are converted into a maximum or minimum value(S4145). The number of EE pulses is then determined based on the Tv andAv values that are finally determined according to the CHK₋₋ TvAvsubroutine, and data indicative of whether the external flash bulb is tobe energized or not, how much intensity of light the external flash bulbis to emit, and whether a rear blind is to be synchronized or not, aretransmitted to the external flash bulb (S4147, S4149). The EE pulses areused to stop down the aperture depending on the aperture Av for control.Subsequently, TTL data is set to stop the emission from the flash bulbin response to a quench signal in flash photography, after which controlreturns.

The normal program routine in step S4137 shown in FIG. 41C will bedescribed below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 52A. A programdiagram explaining the normal program subroutine is shown in FIG. 52B,by way of example, and has the following features:

(1) The hand induced vibration limit Tvf (=TvL1) is set.

(2) It is set so as to be positioned between a program line (see FIG.49B) relative to the landscape mode which attaches importance to thedepth of field, and a program line (see FIG. 50B) relative to the movingsubject mode which attaches importance to the shutter speed.

(3) When the hand induced vibration limit Tvf (=TvL1) is exceeded, it ispossible to make a program shift by at least one step.

Hand induced vibrations are liable to occur near the hand inducedvibration limit Tvf (=TvL1) when f=80 mm and f=28 mm in FIG. 52B.Therefore, in a low Ev range where Tv<Tvf, the shutter speed is fixed atthe hand induced vibration limit Tvf and the aperture is opened up tothe minimum aperture value. When the aperture is opened, the shutterspeed is reduced while keeping the aperture open. The hand inducedvibration limit Tvf (=TvL1) at this time is put in as the variable TvL1and processed.

In the normal program subroutine, a fv calculation subroutine shown inFIG. 42A is called to determine a converted focal length fv into which afocal length f has been converted depending on an apex value.

Then, in step S5203, a calculation Tv is determined according to:

    Tv=(3/8)×light intensity Lv+normal coefficient b

where the normal coefficient b=(5/8)Tvf -(3/8)(AvMIN+1). This formula iseffective to move the program line in the direction of the shutter axisas the normal coefficient b varies while the gradient is kept fixed inthe program diagram, as shown in FIG. 52B for example.

Then, it is determined whether the calculation Tv is greater than themaximum shutter speed TvMAX or not. If the calculation Tv is greaterthan the maximum shutter speed TvMAX, then the maximum shutter speedTvMAX is stored in the RAM of the body side CPU 20, and a Tv-over flagis set to "1" indicating that the maximum shutter speed TvMAX issubstituted for the calculation Tv though a shutter speed to be actuallyset is higher (S5205, S5219, S5221). Then, a CAL₋₋ Av subroutine shownin FIG. 44 is called to determine an appropriate calculation Avcorresponding to the varied calculation Tv (S5223). Thereafter, and whenAv under is set to "0", control goes to step S5215. If the calculationTv is equal to or smaller than the maximum shutter speed TvMAX in stepS5205, then the calculation Tv is compared with the hang inducedvibration limit Tvf. If the calculation Tv is smaller than the handinduced vibration limit Tvf, then the hand induced vibration limit Tvfis stored as the calculation Tv in the RAM (S5207, S5225), and controlthereafter goes to step S5209. If the calculation Tv is greater than thehand induced vibration limit Tvf in step S5207, then control goes tostep S5209.

The step S5209 calls the CAL₋₋ Av subroutine shown in FIG. 44 todetermine an appropriate calculation Av corresponding to the variedcalculation Tv, after which control goes to step S5211. The step S5211checks an AV-over flag. If the Av-over flag is set to "1", then a CAL₋₋Tv subroutine is called to determine an appropriate calculation Tvcorresponding to the varied calculation Av (S5227). Thereafter, controlgoes to the step S5215. If the Av-over flag is set to "0", then controlgoes to step S5213 which checks an Av-under flag. If the Av-under flagis set to "1", then the CAL₋₋ Tv subroutine is called to determine anappropriate calculation Tv corresponding to the varied calculation Av(S5227). Thereafter, control goes to the step S5215.

In step S5215, a normal P shift calculation subroutine shown in FIG.46-I and 46-II is called to check whether there is a program shift ornot. More specifically, the amount of a program shift that has been setby the user with the UP/DOWN lever 28 is put as the amount of an entireprogram shift in step S4601, and a P shift direction bit that has beenset depending on the direction in which the program shift is made is putas an entire P shift direction bit. Control then goes to step S4603which checks a P shift inhibit flag. Since no program shift is made inthe green mode in this embodiment, the P shift inhibit flag has been setto "1" when the green mode has been selected with X=0 in the AEcalculations shown in FIGS. 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D. Therefore, as no programshift is recognized, control returns from step S4603. In the normalprogram (P) mode, a program shift can be made. Thus, when this mode isselected with X=5, the step S4135 is Jumped, and the P shift inhibitflag is not set to "1". Therefore, a program shift is recognized, andcontrol proceeds to the next step without returning from the step S4603.

In step S5217, the calculation Tv is converted into a value that willactually be used for control, and stored as a control Tv in the RAM ofthe body-side CPU 20, and the calculation Av is converted into a valuethat will actually be used for control, and stored as a control Av inthe RAM of the body-side CPU 20.

The automatic calculation subroutine in step S4139 shown in FIG. 41Cwill be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 58.First, step S5801 checks a TrAv mode flag to be set in step S2521 in thedata U/D subroutine shown in FIG. 25. If the TrAv mode flag is set to"1", then it is recognized that the aperture preference mode isselected, and control proceeds to step S5311. If the TvAv mode flag isset to "0", then it is recognized that the shutter speed preference modeis selected, and control proceeds to step S5303.

In the shutter speed preference mode, a manually set setting Tv is putin as the control Tv which will actually be used for control (S5303).The setting Tv is converted into a value for calculations and put in asthe calculation Tv. The CAL₋₋ Av subroutine is called to determine anappropriate calculation Av corresponding to the calculation Tv, and thecalculation Av is put in as the control Av (S5305 through S5809), afterwhich control returns. In the aperture preference mode, a manually setsetting Av is put in as the control Av (S5311), and the setting Av isput in as the calculation Av. The CAL₋₋ Tv subroutine is called todetermine an appropriate calculation Tv corresponding to the calculationAv, and the calculation Tv is put in as the control Tv (S5313 throughS5317), after which control returns.

The manual calculation subroutine in step S4141 shown in FIG. 41C willbe described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 54. First,step S5401 checks the TvAv mode flag to be set in step S2521 in the dataU/D subroutine shown in FIG. 25. If the TvAv mode flag is set to "1",then since an aperture value can be set with the UP/DOWN lever 28,control proceeds to step S5419. If the TvAv mode flag is set to "0",then since a shutter speed can be set with the UP/DOWN lever 28, controlproceeds to step S5403.

To set a shutter speed, the setting Tv that has been set with a1/2-series value processed in 1/2 steps is put in as the control Tv, andthe setting Av that has been set with a similar 1/2-series value is putin as the control Av (S5403, S5405). Then, It is determined whether thehyper (exposure correction) button 52 is pressed or not. If the hyperbutton 52 is not pressed, control returns with the 1/2-series value. Inthis case, frames are exposed with the control Tv, Av based on themanually set value that is processed in 1/2 steps.

If the hyper switch 88 is turned on in order to obtain an appropriateexposure value based on the photometric value, then the setting Tv ofthe 1/2-series value is converted into a calculation Tv that isprocessed in 1/8 steps. The CAL₋₋ Av subroutine is called to determinean appropriate calculation Av corresponding to the calculation Tv, andthe calculation Av is processed in 1/8 steps and is put in as thecontrol Av which will actually be used for control (S5409 throughS5418). In the manual exposure mode, therefore, when the shutter isreleased while the hyper button 52 is pressed to turn on the hyperswitch 88, frames can be exposed based on a value that has beencalculated by the body-side CPU 20 in highly accurate 1/8 steps.

The calculation Av is put in the setting Av and processed into a1/2-series value (S5415 through S5417), after which control returns.Therefore, the Av value is subsequently manually increased or reduced asa 1/2-series value as it can be set manually too.

The processing of the calculation Av into a 1/2-series value means therounding of a calculated apex value to 1/2 steps of an apex value thatcan be manually set because values are processed in 1/2 steps in manualcalculations whereas values are processed in 1/8 steps in automaticcalculations, i.e., because the steps of an apex value that are set byautomatic calculations by the body-side CPU 20 are smaller than thesteps of an apex value that can manually be set.

To manually set an aperture, the setting Av that has been set with a1/2-series value is processed in 1/2 steps and is put in as the controlAv, and the setting Tv that has been set with a similar 1/2-series valueis put in the control Tv (S5419, S5421). Then, it is determined whetherthe hyper button 52 is pressed or not. If the hyper switch 88 is notturned on, control returns with the 1/2-series value. In this case,frames are exposed with the control Av, Tv based on the manually setvalue that is processed in 1/2 steps.

If the hyper switch 88 is turned on, then the setting Av of the1/2-series value is converted into a calculation Av that is processed in1/8 steps. The CAL₋₋ Tv subroutine is called to determine an appropriatecalculation Tv corresponding to the calculation Av, and the calculationAv is processed in 1/8 steps and is put in as the control Av which willactually be used for control (S5425 through S5429). In the manualexposure mode, therefore, when the shutter is released while the hyperbutton 52 is pressed to turn on the hyper switch 88, frames can beexposed based on a value that has been calculated by the body-side CPU20 in highly accurate 1/8 steps.

The calculation Tv is put in the setting Av and processed into a1/2-series value (S5431 through S5433), after which control returns.Therefore, the Av value is subsequently manually increased or reduced asa 1/2-series value.

PROGRAM CALCULATIONS SUBROUTINE

The program calculations subroutine in step S4148 shown in FIG. 41B willbe described below with reference to the flowchart of FIGS. 42A and 42B.In this subroutine, the calculation Tv and the calculation Av aredetermined depending on one of the portrait, landscape, moving subject,and close up modes that is set by the mode setting process, andconverted into the control Tv and the control Av, respectively, whichwill actually be used for control.

First, the fv calculation subroutine is called in step S4201. In the fvcalculation subroutine, a focal length f supplied from the focal lengthdetecting mechanism 102 for the lens system 12 is converted into a valuethat can be utilized as an apex value, and a converted focal length fvis determined according to the equation:

    fv=log(focal length f)/log 2.

Then, the Tvf calculation subroutine is called, and a hand inducedvibration limit Tvf of the shutter speed is determined (S4203) accordingto the equation:

    Tvf=(3/4)×fv+2.

Then, the Avf calculation subroutine is called, and a photographingoptimum Av value Avf is determined (S4205) according to the equations:

    Avf=AvMIN+1+Avf shift

    Avf shift=(5/4)×(6.5-fv).

where,

    0≦Avf shift≦2.

The photographing optimum Av value Avf is a value to determine anoptimum aperture based on the focal length when a picture is to be takenwith a blurred background or in sharp focus with a large depth of field,i.e., an absolute value indicative of how much the aperture is to bereduced from an open aperture.

In step S4207, a calculation Tv is determined according to the formula:

    coefficient a×light intensity Lv+coefficient b'

using the coefficients a, b corresponding to the AE modes that are setin steps S4119 through S4133 shown in FIG. 41B.

The calculation Tv determined at a predetermined focal length in theselected mode, is compared with the minimum shutter speed TvMIN and themaximum shutter speed TvMAX that are inherent to the camera (S4209,S4211). If the calculation Tv is smaller than the minimum shutter speedTvMIN, then the minimum shutter speed TvMIN is put in as the calculationTv, and a Tv-under flag is set to "1" indicating that the minimumshutter speed TvMIN is set though a shutter speed slower than theminimum shutter speed TvMIN should be set (S4213), after which controlgoes to step S4217. If the calculation Tv is larger than the maximumshutter speed TvMAX, then the maximum shutter speed TvMAX is put in asthe calculation Tv, and a Tv-over flag is set to "1" indicating that themaximum shutter speed TvMAX is set though a shutter speed faster thanthe maximum shutter speed TvMAX should be set (S4215), after whichcontrol goes to the step S4217.

If the calculation Tv at a predetermined focal length in the selectedmode is larger than the minimum shutter speed TvMIN in step S4209 andsmaller than the maximum shutter speed TvMAX in step S4211, then boththe Tv-under flag and the Tv-over flag are not set to "1", and controlgoes directly to the step S4217. In step S4217, the CAL₋₋ Av (Avcalculation) subroutine shown in FIG. 44 is called to determine anappropriate calculation Av corresponding to the calculation Tv based onthe Tv calculation.

Step S4219 checks whether the calculation Av determined in the CAL₋₋ Avsubroutine is of a value in excess of the first Av boundary AvL1calculated in the selected mode or not. If the calculation Av exceedsthe first Av boundary AvL1, then control jumps to step S4243 in which aP shift calculation process is executed to check the direction andamount of a program shift and determine a calculation Tv and acalculation Av that are suitable for the program to be shifted. If thecalculation Av is equal to or smaller than the first Av boundary AvL1,then control goes to step S4221 in which the first Av boundary AvL1 isput in as the calculation Av. Since the Av value is thus determined, theCAL₋₋ Tv subroutine (FIG. 43) is called to determine a Tv valuedepending on the calculation Av (S4223).

Step S4225 checks whether the calculation Tv determined in step S4223 isgreater than the first Tv boundary TvL1 calculated in step S4203. If thecalculation Tv exceeds the first Tv boundary TvL1, then control jumps tothe step S4243 in which the P shift calculation process is executed tocheck the direction and amount of a program shift and determine acalculation Tv and a calculation Av that are suitable for the program tobe shifted. If the calculation Tv is equal to or smaller than the firstTv boundary TvL1, then control goes to step S4227 in which the first Tvboundary TvL1 is put in as the calculation Tv. Since the Tv value isthus determined, the CAL₋₋ Av subroutine is called again in step S4229to determine an Av value depending on the calculation Tv.

Then, step S4231 checks whether the calculation Av is larger than thesecond Av boundary AvL2. If the calculation Av exceeds the second Avboundary AvL2, then control jumps to the step S4243. If not, thencontrol proceeds to step S4233 in which the second Av boundary AvL2 isset as the calculation Av. Since the Av value is thus determined, theCAL₋₋ Tv subroutine is called again in step S4235 to determine acalculation Tv depending on the calculation Av. Thereafter, thecalculation Tv is compared with the minimum shutter speed TvMIN (S4237).If the calculation Tv is larger than the minimum shutter speed TvMIN,then control jumps to the step S4243. If not, then control proceeds tostep S4239 in which the minimum shutter speed TvMIN is put in as thecalculation Tv. Since the Tv value is thus determined, the CAL₋₋ Avsubroutine is called again in step S4241 to determine a calculation Avdepending on the calculation Tv.

In step S4243, the P (program) shift calculation subroutine is called todetermine the amount of shift of a program line that has previously beenstored in the ROM. Then, the calculation Tv is set as the control Tvwhich will actually be used for control, and the calculation Av is setas the control Av which will actually be used for control (S4245), afterwhich control returns.

CAL₋₋ Tv SUBROUTINE

The CAL₋₋ Tv (Tv calculation) subroutine for setting an appropriate Tvvalue and limiting the Tv value to a controllable range will bedescribed below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 48. First, theTv-under flag and the Tv-over flag are cleared (S4301), and a valuedetermined according to the formula:

    light intensity Lv-calculation Av,

is put in as the calculation Tv (S4308).

The above calculation Tv is compared with the minimum shutter speedTvMIN and the maximum shutter speed TvMAX that are inherent to thecamera (S4305, S4307). If the calculation Tv is smaller than the minimumshutter speed TvMIN, then the minimum shutter speed TvMIN is set as thecalculation Tv, and the Tv-under flag is set to "1" indicating that theminimum shutter speed TvMIN is set though a shutter speed slower thanthe minimum shutter speed TvMIN should actually be set (S4309), afterwhich control returns. If the calculation Tv is larger than the maximumshutter speed TvMAX, then the maximum shutter speed TvMAX is set as thecalculation Tv, and the Tv-over flag is set to "1" indicating that themaximum shutter speed TvMAX is set though a shutter speed faster thanthe maximum shutter speed TvMAX should actually be set (S4311), afterwhich control returns.

If the calculation Tv is equal to or larger than the minimum shutterspeed TvMIN in step S4305, then control goes to the step S4307. If thecalculation Tv is equal to or smaller than the maximum shutter speedTvMAX, then control returns. Therefore, the CAL₋₋ Tv subroutine limitsthe shutter speed used in the AE calculation program shift to acontrollable range.

CAL₋₋ Av SUBROUTINE

The CAL₋₋ Av (Av calculation) subroutine for setting an appropriate Avvalue and limiting the Av value to a controllable range will bedescribed below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 44. First, theAv-under flag and the Av-over flag are cleared in step S4401, and avalue determined according to the formula:

    light intensity Lv-calculation Tv is set as the calculation Av (S4403).

The above calculation Av is compared with the minimum aperture AvMIN andthe maximum aperture AvMAX (S4405, S4407). If the calculation Av issmaller than the minimum aperture AvMIN, then the minimum aperture AvMINis set as the calculation Av, and the Av-under flag is set to "1"indicating that the minimum aperture AvMIN is set though the apertureshould actually be smaller (S4409), after which control returns. If thecalculation Av is larger than the maximum aperture AvMAX, then themaximum aperture AvMAX is set as the calculation Av, and the Av-overflag is set to "1" indicating that the maximum aperture AvMAX is setthough the aperture should actually be larger (S4411), after whichcontrol returns.

If the calculation Av is equal to or larger than the minimum apertureAvMIN in step S4405, then control goes to the step S4407. If thecalculation Av is equal to or smaller than the maximum aperture AvMAX,then control returns. Therefore, the CAL₋₋ Av subroutine limits theshutter speed used in the AE calculation program shift to a controllablerange.

P SHIFT CALCULATIONS SUBROUTINE

The P (program) shift calculations subroutine shown in FIG. 42B will bedescribed below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 46-I and 46-II.First, a sub-P shift calculation subroutine is called to determine theamount and direction of a shift of a learned program line in step S4601.When the direction and the amount of an entire program shift has beendetermined, the P shift inhibit flag is checked (S4603). If the P shiftinhibit flag is set to "1", then control returns, and no program shiftis made. If the P shift inhibit flag is set to "0", then controlproceeds to step S4605 which checks whether the amount of an entireprogram shift is 0 or not. If the amount of an entire program shift is0, i.e., if the program line is not to be shifted, then control returns.If the program line is to be shifted, then the entire P shift directionbit is checked to determine the direction of a program shift (S4607).

If the entire P shift direction bit is set to "1" so that the directionof the program shift is negative, e.g., the program line shown in FIGS.48A and 48B is to be shifted upwardly to the left, then a value producedby subtracting the amount of an entire program shift from thecalculation Tv is set as the calculated Tv, thus setting the shutterspeed to a slower value (S4323). Then, step S4325 determines whether thecalculated Tv Is smaller than the minimum shutter speed TvMIN or not. Ifsmaller, then the minimum shutter speed TvMIN is set to the calculationTv (S4627), then control goes to step S4615. If not, then control goesdirectly to step S4615.

If the entire P shift direction bit is set to "0" so that the directionof the program shift is positive, e.g., the program line shown in FIGS.48A and 48B is to be shifted downwardly to the right, then a valueproduced by adding the amount of an entire program shift to thecalculation Tv is set to the calculation TV. Thus, the shutter speed isset to a faster value (S4609). Then, step S4611 determines whether thecalculation Tv is larger than the maximum shutter speed TvMAX or not. Iflarger, then the maximum shutter speed TvMAX is set to the calculationTv (S4613), and control goes to step S4615. If not, control goesdirectly to step S4615.

In step S4615, the CAL₋₋ Av subroutine shown in FIG. 44 is called tocalculate the calculation Av. Then, the Av-over flag and the Av-underflag are checked in respective steps S4617, S4619. If the Av-over flagis set to "1" or if the Av-under flag is set to "1", control goes tostep S4621 in which the CAL₋₋ Tv subroutine is called to calculate a Tvvalue corresponding to the calculation Av at the time. If both theAv-over flag and the Av-under flag are set to "0", then control returns.

The program line shown in FIG. 48B shows in greater detail the programline for the portrait mode as described above with reference to FIG.48A. The program line has the following features:

(1) The first hand induced vibration limit Tvf (=TvL1) is set for eachof the wide and telephoto settings.

(2) The wide range is set for photographing a group of people and aperson in a landscape, and allows both the person and the landscape tobe photographed in sharp focus when the aperture diameter is reduced.

(3) The telephoto range is set for photographing a portrait and a bust,and allows a person to be photographed in focus when the aperture isopen.

(4) The aperture control level is reversed in a normal photographingrange.

As described above, the program line in the portrait mode is set suchthat the aperture is open for shutter speeds ranging from a low shutterspeed range to a hand induced vibration limit for the wide and telephotosettings, and the shutter speed is fixed and the aperture is varied to apredetermined value at the hand induced vibration limit. Therefore, thecamera is suitable for photographing people in general as well asportraits, with the program line in the portrait mode being set takinginto account the prevention of hand induced vibrations. The aperture atthe hand induced vibration limit can be reduced by three steps for thewide range, and can be reduced by one step for the telephoto range.Accordingly, the wide range can be set for photographing a group ofpeople and a person in a landscape, allowing both the person and thelandscape to be in sharp focus when the aperture is reduced.

The program line shown in FIG. 49B shows in greater detail the programline for the landscape mode as shown in FIG. 49A. The program line hasthe following features:

(1) It allows the camera to take pictures of close and distant subjectsin focus regardless of the focal length.

(2) In a low luminance range, the aperture preference mode is selectedfor reducing the aperture one step from the open aperture for each ofthe wide and telephoto settings, and the aperture is reduced to theminimum aperture from the second hand induced vibration limit fv.

(3) By reducing the aperture one step from the open aperture, a shortageof brightness at the edge of the image field is eliminated, and theimage performance is improved.

As described above, the program line for the landscape mode is set suchthat the aperture is reduced one step from the open aperture at thefocal length regardless of the focal length for shutter speeds rangingfrom the low shutter speed range to the hand induced vibration limit.For example, at the focal length of 28 mm, the aperture is reduced onestep from AvL2 which is the open aperture for the focal length.

The program line for the landscape mode is set such that it varies witha gradient of 6/2 in a portion G beyond the hand induced vibrationlimit. As described above, since the Tv value is given by:

    Tv=coefficient a×light intensity Lv+coefficient b,

and 2/8 is put in as the coefficient a in step S4128 in the landscapemode, the Tv value increases by 2/8 as the light intensity Lv increasesby 1. Therefore, the Av and Tv values vary at a ratio of 6:2, i.e., theprogram line varies with a gradient of 6/2. In FIG. 49B, the numbers inparentheses indicate apex values corresponding to shutter speeds andapertures. The apex values have the same meaning as in FIGS. 48B, 50B,51B, 52B, and 55C.

The program line shown in FIG. 50B shows in greater detail the programline for the moving subject mode as shown in FIG. 50A. The program linehas the following feature:

(1) It sets a third hand induced vibration limit Tvf+1 so that the handinduced vibration limit Tv is increased by one step with respect to thefirst hand induced vibration limit.

The program line shown in FIG. 51B shows in greater detail the programline for the close up mode as shown in FIG. 51A. The program line hasthe following features:

(1) In a low luminance range, the program line selects the aperturepreference mode for reducing the aperture one step from the openaperture for each of the wide and telephoto settings.

(2) From the hand induced vibration limit, the aperture is set to F8regardless of the focal length.

As described above, the program line for the close up mode is set suchthat the aperture is fixed to a predetermined value at shutter speedsranging from a low shutter speed range to the hand induced vibrationlimit, and the aperture is varied by about one step and set to F8 at thehand induced vibration limit, with the control being effected with F3beyond the hand induced vibration limit. Therefore, the camera with theexposure mode can be used with a zoom lens having a macro range and alsowith a macro lens in the close up mode.

In taking close ups, since the depth of field is reduced, the apertureis reduced excessively and the shutter speed is lowered, tending tocause hand induced vibrations and blurred subject images. With thisembodiment, the shutter speed is fixed and the aperture is reduced byabout one step at the hand induced vibration limit where hand inducedvibrations are most likely to occur. Beyond the hand induced vibrationlimit, the control is carried out with a not so excessively reducedaperture, thereby reducing the occurrence of hand induced vibrations andblurred subject images.

SUB-P SHIFT CALCULATION SUBROUTINE

The sub-P shift calculation subroutine in step S4601 shown in FIG. 46-Iwill be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 45. Thissubroutine determines the amount of shift of the origin and the amountof shift of the program line in the learning mode, i.e., the amount of ashift of the entire program. Additionally, it determines the formerprogram shift direction.

The five modes, i.e., the green mode, the portrait mode, the landscapemode, the moving subject mode, and the close up mode, can be selectivelyset when the PICT switch 110b is turned on. When the main button 36 isshifted to the PICT position, an AE mode digit from 0 to 4 isrespectively assigned according to the table of FIG. 36. The subroutineP shift calculation, in which the subroutine sub-P shift calculation iscalled, in turn is called in step S4243 of the subroutine calculation.The subroutine program calculation is only called in step S4143 shown inFIG. 41B if a variable X consisting of the AE mode digit, is either 1,2, 3, or 4. In order to assign four values of a variable from 0 to 3 tothe four corresponding release modes, as shown in the data formatrepresentation of FIG. 58, the number ((AE mode)-1) is entered in stepS4501 as variable X.

The amount of shift of the origin and the origin direction bit whichcorrespond to the read value are read from the RAM (S4503, S4505), andthe P shift direction bit is checked to determine whether the directionof a program shift is positive or negative (S4507). If it is positive,then control lumps to step S4511. If it is negative, then the amount ofa program shift is regarded as being negative, and is converted into anegative value, i.e., the absolute value thereof is converted into anegative value (S4509).

Step S4511 then checks, from the origin direction bit, how the originhas been varied by the learning mode. If the direction of shift of theorigin is negative, then the amount of shift of the origin is convertedinto a negative value (S4513), i.e., the absolute value thereof isconverted into a negative value. If the direction of shift of the originis positive, then the amount of shift of the origin is not converted,but is used as it is.

The amount of shift of the origin is then added to the amount of programshift, thus determining the amount of an entire shift of the programline (S4515). Step S4517 then determines whether the amount of theentire shift is smaller than 0 or not. If smaller, then control proceedsto step S4519 in which the amount of the entire program shift isconverted into an absolute value, and the entire P shift direction bitis set to "1". If the amount of an entire shift is equal to or largerthan 0 in step S4517, then control returns. The amount of the entireprogram shift is converted into an absolute value in step S4519 in orderto prevent the values of exposure factors for calculations from becomingnegative and the accuracy of each of the exposure factors is set to a1/8 Ev step to facilitate apex calculations by way of additions andsubtractions without taking calculation accuracy into account.

CHK₋₋ TvAv SUBROUTINE

The CHK₋₋ TvAv subroutine for detecting whether the calculation Tv andthe calculation Av are out of limit values in step S4145 shown in FIG.41D will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 47.First, step S4701 determines whether the control Tv value calculated ineach mode is equal to the maximum shutter speed TvMAX or not. If equal,then a maximum shutter speed TvMAX flag is set to "1" (S4703). If not,then control jumps to step S4705. Step S4705 determines whether thecontrol Tv value calculated in each mode is equal to the minimum shutterspeed TvMIN or not. If equal, then a minimum shutter speed TvMIN flag isset to "1" (S4707). If not, then control jumps to step S4709.

Step S4709 determines whether the control Av value calculated in eachmode is equal to the maximum aperture AvMAX or not. If equal, then amaximum aperture AvMAX flag is set to "1" (S4711). If not, then controljumps to step S4713. Step S4713 determines whether the control Av valuecalculated in each mode is equal to the minimum aperture AvMIN or not.If equal, then a minimum aperture AvMIN flag is set to "1" (S4715). Ifnot, then control returns.

LEARNING

A process relating to the learning mode of the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to FIGS. 55 through 59 and FIGS. 85through 90.

The learning mode of the present invention is concerned with the statusof a program shift in the program exposure mode. More specifically, whenthe user releases the shutter while the program is being shiftedaccording to the preference of the user, the number of times that theshutter releases with this preference is counted. When this count of thenumber of times reaches a predetermined number or more, data forshifting the program line in a shift direction by a predetermined amountis stored as learned data. After that data has been stored, a shutterspeed and an aperture are set along what is then a substitute programline that has been learned. The learned program line is based on thelearned data. Further programs shifts and learning of data for storingis effected with reference to the learned program line.

The term "program shift" in this embodiment means moving a program line(default program line), which is obtained in a normal program exposureprocess, in a direction parallel to an exposure value Ev line to changea combination of a shutter speed and an aperture although the presentinvention is not limited to such a "program shift" and a plurality ofsubstitute program lines could be stored. As an example of the specificembodiment, in the program diagram shown in FIG. 55C for a lens havingan open F value of 3.5 and a minimum aperture F value of max. 22, when adefault program line (3) as a reference program line is shifted in apositive direction by 0.5 Tv or 1.0 Tv, it becomes a program line (4) or(5). Conversely, when the default program line (3) is shifted in anegative direction by 0.5 Tv or 1.0 Tv, it becomes a program line (2) or(1). However, if the shutter speed or the aperture exceeds acontrollable range, i.e., if Ev=9, since the program line (4) cannot beshifted further in the positive direction at this point as the aperturehas reached an open aperture, no data is effectively learned. When acertain value is added to the shutter speed Tv, a certain value issubtracted from the aperture Av.

Moving an origin on the default program line up to the learned programline, along the exposure value Ev line, is referred to as movement ofthe origin or shifting of the origin. The amount by which the shutterspeed Tv is changed by the movement of the origin is referred to theamount of movement of the origin or the amount of shift of the origin.The direction from the default program line toward the learned programline is referred to as the direction of the origin, and that point, ason the learned substitute program line, is referred to as the learnedorigin. A program line moved in an origin direction by an origin shiftamount with respect to a default program line is used in the learningmode as a reference program line with respect to a program shift. FIG.55C shows a simple program diagram for an easier understanding of theprogram shift of the present invention. However, the present inventionis not limited to the illustrated program diagram. A program shift anddata can be learned in each of the portrait mode, the landscape mode,the moving subject mode, and the close up mode of this embodiment.

The single lens reflex camera is arranged such that the amount anddirection of a program (P) shift are set by turning the UP/DOWN lever 28(UP, DOWN switches 78, 80) so that when the photometric switch 70 isturned on, a shutter speed Tv obtained in the normal program calculationprocess is varied by the amount of the program shift, and an appropriateaperture Av is calculated again, based on the changed shutter speed Tvand the appropriate exposure value Ev.

In this embodiment, there is an independent learning function availablein the four program exposure modes, i.e., the portrait mode, thelandscape mode, the moving subject mode, and the close up mode, and thelearning function is independently performed when any one of the fourexposure modes is selected.

FIGS. 58 and 59 show various data necessary for the learning function,areas of the EEPROM 106 and the RAM for storing such various data, dataformats and their relationship, and a format of the RAM. The datanecessary for the learning function includes the amount of shift of theorigin, the direction of the origin, the learned number of times thatthe shutter is released, the previous learned direction, the amount of aprogram shift, and the direction of a program shift.

The amount of a program shift is the absolute value of a shutter speedTv to be shifted from a reference program line. The relatively highershutter speeds (including a 0 change in shutter speed) are regarded aspositive (+) and the relatively lower shutter speeds are regarded asnegative (-) and are distinguished from each other using the P shiftdirection bit which is "0" when positive and "1" when negative. Thereference program line is the learned substitute program line when theresults of the learning mode are stored or is the default program linewhen no results of the learning mode have been stored. The amount of ashift of an origin is the difference between the shutter speed Tv of theshifted or learned program line that is stored and the shutter speed Tvof the default program line. The magnitude of the amount of a shift ofthe origin is indicated by its absolute value. When the learned programline is on the higher shutter speed side of the default program line, itis regarded as positive and when the learned program line is on thelower shutter speed side of the default program line, it is regarded asnegative. These positive and negative conditions are distinguished fromeach other using the origin direction bit which is "0" when positive and"1" when negative. The learned number of shutter releases is countedeach time an exposure is finished, provided that the present directionof a program shift is the same as the previous direction of programshift. The previous direction of program shift is distinguished usingprevious learned direction bits which are "01" when positive and "10"when negative.

Memory areas for storing the four data, i.e., the amount of a shift ofan origin, the origin direction bit, the learned number of times thatthe shutter is released, and the previous learned direction bits are 2bytes {STDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X)} in the EEPROM 108 and 2 bytes{STDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X)} in the RAM for each of the program exposuremode. Furthermore, a common data area is provided by four bytes{ALLPSFT, SETPSFT, STDYCNT, and GENPSFT}. The amount of a program shiftis stored using 0th through 3th bits of SETPSFT. The direction of aprogram shift is stored using the 7th bit of SETPSFT. The amount of ashift of the origin is stored using 0th through 6th bits of GENPSFT. Theorigin direction bit is stored using the 7th bit of GENPSFT. The learnednumber of times that the shutter is released is stored using 0th through5th bits of STDYCNT, and the previous learned direction bits are storedusing 3th and 7th bits of STDYCNT. The amount of an entire programshift, i.e., the amount of a program shift from the origin, is storedusing 0th through 6th bits of ALLPSFT, and the entire shift directionbit is stored using the 7th bit of ALLPSFT.

LEARNING MODE DISPLAY DATA

FIGS. 85 through 90 show display data on the external display LCD panel34 with respect to the status of a program shift and the status of alearning mode when EV=13. These display data are controlled based on theP shift display table shown in FIG. 31 according to the P shift graphdisplay process shown in FIG. 29.

In FIGS. 85, 86, and 90, a displayed black dot 58f above the origin mark58h indicates that no data has been learned or that the current learnedprogram line is in effect equal to the default program line. FIG. 85shows a program shift of 0 because only the displayed black dot 58fabove the origin mark 58h is turned on. FIG. 86 shows the amount of aprogram shift which is +1.0 Tv (-1.0 Av). In FIG. 86, the black dot 58fthat is alternately turned on and off on the right end indicates theshift amount and the black dot 58f on the left end opposite to theorigin mark 58h indicates the origin (either of the default program lineor the learned substitute program line). FIG. 90 shows the amount of aprogram shift which is -1.0 Tv (+1.0 Av). In FIG. 90, the black dot 58fthat is alternately turned on and off on the left end indicates theshift amount and the black dot 58f on the right end opposite to theorigin mark 58h indicates the origin (either of the default program lineor the learned substitute program line).

FIGS. 87 through 89 show that the learning mode origin is +0.5 Tv (-0.5Av), that is to say that the origin of the current learned substituteprogram line (data) which has been stored is shifted +0.5 Tv (-0.5 Av).FIG. 87 shows the amount of a program shift of +0.5 Tv from the originof the learned program line. FIG. 88 shows the amount of a shift of 0from the origin of the learned program line. FIG. 89 shows the amount ofa program shift of -1.5 Tv from the origin of the learned program line.

Although not shown, the viewfinder display LCD panel 32 also displays atriangular mark 58h, graduations 58g, and black dots 58f whichcorrespond respectively to the triangular mark 58h, the graduations 58g,and the black dots 58f on the external display LCD panel 34.

LEARNING MODE CALCULATION PROCESS

A learning mode calculation process will be described in detail belowwith reference to the flowchart of FIGS. 55A, 55B, 56, 57A, 57B, FIGS.55A and 55B are a flowchart relating to the learning mode calculationprocess, which is a subroutine that is called in step S1415 in theshutter release process shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, when theshutter release takes place a predetermined number of times in thelearning mode and with each program shift in one direction, learned datais stored to give a program line that is varied to become a substitutefor the previous program line, i.e. a learned program line.

When the control enters the learning mode calculation process, alearning mode RUN flag for controlling the energization of the learningmode picture 56s is cleared, it is determined whether control is in thelearning mode or not, i.e., whether the learning mode flag is "1" ornot, and it is determined whether the amount of the present programshift is 0 or not (S5501, S5503, S5505). If the learning mode flag is"0" or if control is in the learning mode but the amount of the presentprogram shift is 0, then the number of times of shutter release that isbeing learned does not need to be changed, and control thus returns tothe shutter release subroutine.

If the learning mode flag is "1" and also if the amount of the presentprogram shift is not 0, then it is determined whether the amount of thepresent program shift is larger than the learning mode changing amountthat has been set in the learning mode changing level setting processshown in FIG. 26 so that the appropriate number of times of shutterrelease for learning can be set (S5503, S5505, S5507). If the amount ofthe present program shift is larger than the learning mode changingamount, then the value of "learned number of times 1" of shutter releasethat has been set in FIG. 26 is installed as the "changed number oftimes" for shutter release (S5507, S5509). If the amount of the presentprogram shift is equal to or smaller than the learning mode changingamount, then the value of the "learned number of times 2" of shutterrelease that has been set in FIG. 26 is installed as the "changed numberof times" for shutter release (S5507, S5511).

Then, the amount of shift of the origin, the origin direction bit, thecurrent counted value of the learned number of times of shutter release,and the previous learned direction bits are read from the RAM areasSTDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X). These correspond to the selected exposure mode,X being produced by subtracting from the AE mode number X (S5513). Theamount of shift of the origin and the origin direction bit are stored inthe RAM area GENPSFT, and the current counted value of the learnednumber of times of shutter release and the previous learned directionbits are stored in the RAM area STDYCNT (S5515 through S5521).

The learning mode RUN flag is then set and 1 is added to the currentcounted value of the learned number of times of shutter release (S5523,S5525). Thereafter, it is determined whether the new current countedvalue of the learned number of times of shutter release is smaller thanthe "changed number of times" value that was set above (S5527). Ifsmaller, then control goes to step S5529 and following in order to update the stored value of the counted value of the learned number oftimes shutter release. If the new current counted value of the learnednumber of times of shutter release is equal to or larger than the"changed number of times" value, control goes to a learning mode U/D (upand down) process shown in FIGS. 57A and 57B.

If the new current counted value of the learned number of times ofshutter release is smaller than the "changed number of times", thencontrol proceeds to a learning mode store process 2 provided thedirection of the present program shift is the same as the previousdirection of program shift (learning direction). That is, the controlproceeds to a learning mode store process 2 provided that the present Pshift direction bit is "0" (positive) and the previous learned directionbits are "01" (positive) or the present P shift direction bit is "1"(negative) and the previous learned direction bits are "10" (negative)(S5529, S5531 or S5529, S5533). Stated otherwise, each time the shutteris released with the present program shift direction the same, a valveequal to the learned number of times of shutter release is counted. Whenthe present program shift direction is a new direction which is not thesame as before, the counted value of the learned number of times ofshutter release is reset to "1", and the counted value of the learnednumber of times of shutter release is incremented each time the shutteris released with the new direction of program shift.

Thus, if the previous learned direction (program shift direction) isnegative and the present program shift direction is positive, then,control goes to a learning mode reset process 1 in which the countedvalue of the learned number of times of shutter release is reset to "1"and the previous learned direction bits are set to "01" (positive)(S5529, S5531, S5541). Then, control goes to the learning mode storeprocess 2 for updating the counted value of the learned number of timesof shutter release and also the previous learned direction bits.Conversely, if the previous learned direction (program shift direction)is positive, and the present program shift direction is negative, then,control goes to a learning mode reset process 2 in which the countedvalue of the learned number of times of shutter release is reset to "1"and the previous learned direction bits are set to "10" (negative)(S5529, S5533, S5551). Then, control goes to the learning mode storeprocess 2.

LEARNING MODE STORE PROCESS 2

The learning mode store process 2 is a process for updating and storingthe counted value of the learned number of times of shutter release andthe previous learned direction bits. In this process, the amount of ashift of the origin and the origin direction bit are not changed. Morespecifically, the counted value of the learned number of times ofshutter release and the previous learned direction bits are stored inpredetermined bits in the RAM area (X) corresponding to the presentprogram exposure mode (X=AE mode number-1) (S5611, S5613). Then, thedata stored in the RAM area (X) relating to the learning mode arewritten in the corresponding 2-byte area of the EEPROM 106 (S5616),after which control returns.

LEARNING MODE U/D PROCESS

The learning mode U/D process stores the results of the learning modewhen the current counted value of the learned number of times of shutterrelease becomes equal to or greater than the appropriate "changed numberof times" value so as to execute a shift of the origin. This will bedescribed below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 57A and57B and the program diagram of FIG. 55C. When control enters thelearning mode U/D process, the present program shift direction ischecked, and if the present program shift direction is positive (the Pshift direction bit is "0"), then a learning mode UP process is carriedout, and if the present program shift direction is negative (the P shiftdirection bit is "1"), then a learning mode DOWN process is carried out.It is assumed for the purpose of the following that the present programline is program line (8) in FIG. 55C, being the default program line ora learned program line, so that the black dot 58f above the originindication mark 58h is energized. The data shown in FIGS. 85 through 90are displayed when Ev (Lv)=13.

LEARNING MODE UP PROCESS

In the learning mode UP process, the previous learned direction (programshift direction) is checked, and if the previous learned direction isnegative (the previous learned direction bits are "10"), meaning thatthe present program shift direction has changed from the previousdirection, the learned amount of shift of the origin and the origindirection bit are not to be updated. Thus, at step S5711 control goes tothe learned mode reset process 1 (which is the same as S5541 of FIG.55B). For example, assuming the present program line is indicated by (3)in FIG. 55C and the previous program shift was -0.5, -1.0 Tv, or less inthe direction toward (2) or (1), the present program shift is a relativeshift in the positive direction of +0.5, +1.0 Tv, or more in thedirection toward (4) or (5). The display of the previous program shiftwould have been as shown in FIG. 90, and the display of the presentprogram shift would be as shown in FIG. 86.

If the present program shift direction is the same as the previousprogram shift direction, or no program shift has been made previously(the previous amount of a program shift is 0), then the counted value ofthe learned number of times of shutter release is set to "0" and theprevious learned direction bits are set to "01" (S5711, S5713), afterwhich control proceeds to steps S5715 through S5727 for setting thelearned amount of shift of the origin and the amount of program shift.As an example, if the present program line is indicated by (3) in FIG.55C, and the previous program shift was 0, +0.5, +1.5 Tv, or more in thedirection toward (3), (4) or (5), the present program shift is +0.5 Tvor more in the direction toward (5). Thus, if the present default orlearned substitute program line is indicated by (3) and the programshift is +1.0 Tv, then the displayed data would be as shown in FIG. 86.

Then, depending on the direction of the origin, i.e., depending onwhether the learned program line is in a positive direction, is the sameas the default program line, or is in a negative direction with respectto the default program line, 0.5 Tv is added to or subtracted from theamount of a shift of the origin (S5715, S5717, S5719 or S5715, S5721).

If the learned program line is shifted in a positive direction from thedefault program line, i.e., if the origin direction bit is "0"(positive), and also if the amount of the shift of the origin is lessthan 2, then 0.5 Tv is added to the amount of a shift of the origin(S5715 through S5719). The added 0.5 Tv is then deducted from theprogram shift amount, after which control proceeds to a learning modestore process 1 (S5727). Since the maximum value of the amount of ashift of the origin is limited to 2 Tv in this embodiment, when theamount of a shift of the origin is equal to or greater than 2 Tv, ashift of the origin (a shift of the learned program line) is not made,and control jumps from the step S5717 to the learning mode store process1.

When the above learning mode UP process is carried out, if the defaultprogram line is indicated by (8), an already learned program line isindicated by (4), and the program shift is +0.5 Tv in the directiontoward (5), then the learned program line changes from (4) to (5). As anexample, if +0.5 Tv is added to the amount of shift of the origin in thecondition shown in FIG. 86 when the default (or learned) program line isindicated by (3) and the present program shift is +1.0 Tv, then blackdots 58f are energized as shown in FIG. 87. Thus, in the learning, theprogram line changes to the learned program line (4) that has beenshifted by +0.5 Tv, and the display indicates that the program shift is+0.5 Tv. When a program shift clear process is carried out, the amountof the present program shift from the learned program line (4) iscleared, with the data displayed as shown in FIG. 88.

If the learned program line is shifted in a negative direction from thedefault program line, i.e., if the origin direction bit is "1", then 0.5Tv is subtracted from the amount of a shift of the origin (S5715,S5721). If the amount of a shift of the origin becomes 0, then "0" isput in the origin direction bit, and if the amount of shift of theorigin does not become 0, then the origin direction bit remainsunchanged. 0.5 Tv is deducted from the program shift amount, and controlgoes to the learning mode store process 1 (S5723, S5725, S5727 or S5723,S5727).

When the above learning mode UP process is carried out, as an example,if the default program line is indicated by (3), the learned programline is indicated by (2), and the program shift is +0.5, +1.0, +1.5 Tv,or more in the direction toward (3), (4) or (5), then the new learnedprogram line changes to (3).

LEARNING MODE DOWN PROCESS

Control enters the learning mode DOWN process if the program shiftdirection is negative (P shift direction bit is "1") in step S5701 shownin FIG. 57A.

In the learning mode DOWN process, it is first determined, using theprevious learned direction bits, whether the program shift direction haschanged from the previous direction or not. If changed (the previouslearned direction bits are positive "01"), then at step S5781 controlgoes to the learning mode reset process 2 (same as S5551 of FIG. 55B) sothat no learning takes place so no data are updated (S5731).

If the program shift direction has not changed from the previousdirection (the previous learned direction bits are negative "10"), thenthe counted value of the learned number of times of shutter release isset to "0", and the previous learned direction bits are set to "10"(negative) (S5733).

Then, depending on the direction of the origin, i.e., depending onwhether the learned program line is in a positive direction with respectto the default program line, is the same as the default program line, oris in a negative direction with respect to the default program line, acertain value is added to or subtracted from the amount of a shift ofthe origin (S5735, S5737 or S5735, S5743, S5745).

More specifically, if the direction of the origin is positive, then 0.5Tv is subtracted from the amount of a shift of the origin (S5735,S5737). Since the amount of a shift of the origin from which 0.5 Tv hasbeen subtracted may be less than 0 (-0.5 Tv), it is determined whetherthe amount of a shift of the origin is less than 0 (S5739). If less than0, then the amount of a shift of the origin is converted into itsabsolute value and the origin direction bit is set to "1" (negative)(S5741), after which control goes to step S5747. If the amount of ashift of the origin is equal to or greater than 0, then control goesfrom the step S5739 to the step S5747.

When the learning mode DOWN process is carried out, as an example, ifthe default program line is indicated by (3), the learned program lineis indicated by (4), and the program shift is -0.5, -1.0, -1.5 Tv, orless in the direction toward (3), (2) or (1), then the new learnedprogram line changes to (3). If the learned program line is indicated by(4) and the program shift is -1.5 Tv, the display would be as shown inFIG. 89. Once the learning has been carried out with the abovecondition, the learned program line becomes (3) and the display would beas shown in FIG. 90.

When the direction of the origin is negative, the amount of a shift ofthe origin may exceed a limit value of 2 Tv. Therefore, step S5743determines whether or not the amount of a shift of the origin is equalto or larger than the limit value of 2 Tv. If smaller than the limitvalue, then 0.5 Tv is added to the amount of a shift of the origin(S5745), and control goes to step S5747. If equal to or larger than thelimit value, then control jumps to step S5749.

When the learning mode DOWN process is carried out, as an example, ifthe default program line is indicated by (3), the learned program lineis indicated by (2), and the program shift is -0.5 Tv, or less in thedirection toward (1), then the new learned program line changes to (1).

The amount of a program shift from which 0.5 Tv has been subtracted instep S5747 may become 0. If the amount of a program shift becomes 0, theP shift direction bit is changed to "0" (positive) (S5749, S5751), andcontrol goes to the learning mode store process 1. If the amount of aprogram shift is not 0, then control jumps directly to the learning modestore process 1 (S5749).

LEARNING MODE STORE PROCESSES 1, 2

The learning mode store process 1 for storing the learned condition inthe EEPROM 106 will be described below with reference to FIG. 56. Theamount of a shift of the origin and the origin direction bit that havebeen set in the above learning mode UP/DOWN process are stored inpredetermined bits in the RAM areas STDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X) correspondingto the present program exposure mode, after which control goes to thelearning mode store process 2 (S3601, S3608).

In the learning mode store process 2, the counted value of the learnednumber of shutter releases and the previous learned direction bits arestored in predetermined bits in the RAM area (X) corresponding to thepresent program exposure mode (S5611, S5613). The data stored in the RAMareas STDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X) relating to the learning mode are writtenin the corresponding 2-byte areas STDYCNT(X), GENPSFT(X) of the EEPROM106 (S5615), after which control returns.

With a single lens reflex camera having the learning function of thepresent invention, the user of the camera may select the portrait mode,the landscape mode, the moving subject mode, or the close up mode as theprogram exposure mode. In the learning mode, when the user releases theshutter a predetermined number of times while the program is set toshift in a positive or negative direction, the program line is shiftedin 0.5 Tv steps in that direction (the origin is moved) to become alearned substitute program line. After the program line has beenshifted, data values of shutter speed and aperture are set withreference to the learned substitute program line, and the program canstill be further shifted and this program shift can be learned. That is,when the user of the camera shifts the program and releases the shutter,the camera learns the tendency of the user to shift the program eachtime the shutter is released. After the program shifting tendency hasbeen learned a predetermined number of times, the results of the learnedtendency are updated (stored). A shutter speed and an aperture are setbased on the results of the learned tendency, and then a new learningcan be carried out.

In the above embodiment, it is possible to select a combination of theamount of a program shift and the number of times of occurrence forlearning to be effected. However, the amount of a program shift and thenumber of times for learning to be effected may be independentlyselected. The number of times for learning to be effected may be variedin two steps across a predetermined amount of shift. However, the numberof times for learning to be effected may be varied in three steps ormore, or may be varied depending on the amount of a shift.

In this embodiment, the learning mode is changed in 0.5 Tv steps.However, it may be changed in 1.0 Tv steps, 0.3 Tv steps, or othersteps, or may be changed to a certain Tv value. While the programprocess, the program shift process, and the learning and storing processare carried out in the shutter speed preference mode in the aboveembodiment, the above processes may be carried out in the aperturepreference mode. While a general shift of the program line is effectedto produce a learned program line in the present embodiment, the learnedprogram line may take the form of another complete program line selectedfrom a plurality of already stored program lines.

As described above, when a user of a camera with the learning functionof the present invention releases the shutter a plurality of times whilethe program line is being shifted in one direction in the programexposure mode, the learning means stores learned program data forshifting the program line by a predetermined amount in that direction,and thereafter a shutter speed and an aperture are set based on thestored learned program data. Therefore, simply by shifting the programaccording to the user's preference and repeating exposures, acombination of a shutter speed and an aperture which the user prefers,i.e., a learned program line, can be obtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronically controlled camera, comprising:azoom lens having a changeable focal length; a shutter; an aperture; amanual setting device for selecting at least a portrait mode from amonga plurality of modes; and an exposure controller that determines acombination of a shutter speed and an aperture value based on anexposure value, wherein, when said camera operates in said portraitmode, said exposure controller determines said combination of shutterspeed and aperture value from among at least:(a) combinations of a firstaperture value equal to an open aperture value for a currently usedfocal length of said zoom lens and shutter speeds slower than a handinduced vibration limit; (b) combinations of a second aperture valuewhich is greater than said first aperture value and shutter speedsfaster than said hand induced vibration limit; and (c) combinations of ashutter speed equal to said hand induced vibration limit and aperturevalues greater than or equal to said first aperture value and less thanor equal to said second aperture value.
 2. The camera of claim 1,wherein said second aperture value is lower for longer focal lengths ofsaid zoom lens than for shorter focal lengths of said zoom lens.
 3. Thecamera of claim 2, wherein said second aperture value is approximatelyone aperture value step higher than said first aperture value for a telesetting of said zoom lens, said second aperture value beingapproximately three aperture value steps higher than said first aperturevalue for a wide setting of said zoom lens.
 4. The camera of claim 1,wherein said hand induced vibration limit is dependent on said currentlyused focal length of said zoom lens.
 5. The camera of claim 1, whereinsaid exposure controller calculates said hand induced vibration limitbased on said currently used focal length of said zoom lens.
 6. Anelectronically controlled camera, comprising:a zoom lens having achangeable focal length; a shutter; an aperture; a manual setting devicefor selecting at least a close-up mode from among a plurality of modes;and an exposure controller that determines a combination of a shutterspeed and an aperture value based on an exposure value, wherein, whensaid camera operates in said close-up mode, said exposure controllerdetermines said combination of shutter speed and aperture value fromamong at least:(a) combinations of a first aperture value which is apredetermined amount greater than an open aperture value for a currentlyused focal length of said zoom lens and shutter speeds slower than ahand induced vibration limit; (b) combinations of a second aperturevalue which is greater than said first aperture value and shutter speedsfaster than said hand induced vibration limit; and (c) combinations of ashutter speed equal to said hand induced vibration limit and aperturevalues greater than or equal to said first aperture value and less thanor equal to said second aperture value.
 7. The camera of claim 6,wherein said second aperture value is independent of said focal lengthof said zoom lens.
 8. The camera of claim 7, wherein said secondaperture value is approximately equal to an aperture setting of f8. 9.The camera of claim 6, wherein said first aperture value isapproximately one aperture value step greater than said open aperturevalue for a currently used focal length of said zoom lens.
 10. Thecamera of claim 6, wherein said hand induced vibration limit isdependent on said currently used focal length of said zoom lens.
 11. Thecamera of claim 6, wherein said exposure controller calculates said handinduced vibration limit based on said currently used focal length ofsaid zoom lens.
 12. An electronically controlled camera, comprising:azoom lens having a changeable focal length; a shutter; an aperture; amanual setting device for selecting at least a landscape mode from amonga plurality of modes; and an exposure controller that determines acombination of a shutter speed and an aperture value based on anexposure value, wherein, when said camera operates in said landscapemode, said exposure controller determines said combination of shutterspeed and aperture value from among at least:(a) combinations of a firstaperture value which is a predetermined amount greater than an openaperture value for a currently used focal length of said zoom lens andshutter speeds slower than or equal to said hand induced vibrationlimit; and (b) combinations of aperture values greater than said firstaperture value and shutter speeds faster than said hand inducedvibration limit such that said aperture values are a linear function ofsaid shutter speeds.
 13. The camera of claim 12, wherein said firstaperture value is approximately one aperture value step greater thansaid open aperture value for a currently used focal length of said zoomlens.
 14. The camera of claim 12, wherein said linear function isdependent on a currently used focal length of said zoom lens.
 15. Thecamera of claim 12, wherein said hand induced vibration limit isdependent on a currently used focal length of said zoom lens.
 16. Thecamera of claim 12, wherein said exposure controller further determinessaid hand induced vibration limit based on said currently used focallength of said zoom lens.
 17. An electronically controlled cameracomprising:a zoom lens having a changeable focal length; a shutter; anaperture; a manual setting device for selecting at least a landscapemode from among a plurality of modes; and an exposure controller fordetermining a combination of a shutter speed and an aperture value basedon an exposure value, wherein, when said camera operates in saidlandscape mode, said exposure controller determines said combination ofshutter speed and aperture value from among at least:(a) combinations ofa first aperture value which is a predetermined amount greater than anopen aperture value for a currently used focal length of said zoom lensand shutter speeds slower than or equal to said hand induced vibrationlimit; and (b) combinations of aperture values greater than said firstaperture value and shutter speeds faster than said hand inducedvibration limit, such that said shutter speeds and said aperture valuesincrease in a predetermined ratio as said exposure value increases. 18.The camera of claim 17, wherein said predetermined ratio isapproximately equal to 2:6.
 19. An electronically controlled camera,comprising:a zoom lens having a changeable focal length; a shutter; anaperture; a manual setting device for selecting at least one of aportrait mode, a close-up mode and a landscape mode from among aplurality of modes; and an exposure controller that determines acombination of a shutter speed and an aperture value based on anexposure value, wherein,when said camera operates in said portrait mode,said exposure controller determines said combination of shutter speedand aperture value from among at least (a) combinations of a firstaperture value equal to an open aperture value for a currently usedfocal length of said zoom lens and shutter speeds slower than a handinduced vibration limit, (b) combinations of a second aperture valuewhich is greater than said first aperture value and shutter speedsfaster than said hand induced vibration limit, and (c) combinations of ashutter speed equal to said hand induced vibration limit and aperturevalues greater than or equal to said first aperture value and less thanor equal to said second aperture value, wherein when said cameraoperates in said close-up mode, said exposure controller determines saidcombination of shutter speed and aperture value from among at least (a)combinations of a first aperture value which is a predetermined amountgreater than an open aperture value for a currently used focal length ofsaid zoom lens and shutter speeds slower than a hand induced vibrationlimit, (b) combinations of a second aperture value which is greater thansaid first aperture value and shutter speeds faster than said handinduced vibration limit, and (c) combinations of a shutter speed equalto said hand induced vibration limit and aperture values greater than orequal to said first aperture value and less than or equal to said secondaperture value, and wherein when said camera operates in said landscapemode, said exposure controller determines said combination of shutterspeed and aperture value from among at least (a) combinations of a firstaperture value which is a predetermined amount greater than an openaperture value for a currently used focal length of said zoom lens andshutter speeds slower than or equal to said hand induced vibrationlimit, and (b) combinations of aperture values greater than said firstaperture value and shutter speeds faster than said hand inducedvibration limit such that said aperture values are a linear function ofsaid shutter speeds.